South Africa - Campaign to combat swine fever in Eastern Cape continues

The Department of Agriculture has extended the campaign to eradicate an outbreak of classical swine fever in the Eastern Cape by another six months. The department said the outbreak was under control with large numbers of infected pigs having been culled. "As a result, the number of cases [of swine fever] in the Eastern Cape has decreased considerably, despite persistence in areas of Amathole, Chris Hani and OR Tambo municipal districts." During this period the province will remain a Classical Swine Fever Controlled Area in terms of the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984, as declared on 7 April 2006. For this reason, no live pigs, pork or pork products may be taken out of the region. "It must also be noted that the in-transit movement of live pigs, pork or pork products from other provinces through the Eastern Cape Province is also not allowed." In addition, hunters had been made aware that the measures included wild pigs, warthogs and bushpigs as well as any of their products. Roadblocks have also been established at the borders of the Eastern Cape to enforce the ban on movement to prevent spread of the disease. "With special reference to the upcoming holiday period, the public is requested to adhere to the instituted measures in order to assist in the eradication campaign," the department implored. For this reason, an ongoing targeted surveillance programme is being conducted in all provinces to assist in the early detection of any possible occurrence of the disease. Nevertheless, pig owners have been urged to the importance of protecting their pigs from exposure to diseases, in order to safeguard the long-term sustainability of pig farming in South Africa. Minimum bio-security measures include the following: * Confine pigs to pig-proof sties at all times to prevent contact with wild pigs, including warthogs and bushpigs, and other animals. * Do not feed swill (\[kitchen offal] unless it has been cooked for at least 1 hour or sterilized. * All animals should have access to clean potable water at all times. * Always change clothes and wash hands before coming into contact with pigs to avoid transmitting diseases to them. * Only buy pigs from piggeries with a known disease-free status Owners are advised to contact their private veterinarians or nearest State Veterinary offices for more details.