African swine fever hits Kerala village: What you need to know

Kerala reports an African swine fever outbreak in a village. Disease zones declared, strict controls in place. Know the risks, symptoms & preventive tips (Image: Pexels)

Kerala has recently reported an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), urging prompt containment measures in the region. Authorities have declared a radius of one kilometre around the infected farm as a disease-affected zone. A broader 10km area is declared as a disease surveillance zone to monitor and control the spread.

According to PTI reports, the district collector has stepped in to enforce disease control protocols within the affected zones.

All movement of pigs and pork-related materials in and out of the zones is being regulated or prohibited.

Veterinary teams are being deployed to inspect farms, carry out testing, and cull—and safely dispose of—infected animals if necessary.

Farmers within the surveillance area are being advised on biosecurity measures: disinfecting tools, limiting farm access, and avoiding contact with outsider animals.

African Swine Fever is a deadly and highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs. It is categorised by high fever, weakness, skin lesions and high mortality rate that can sometimes reach 100%. Although it does not infect humans, the disease is a serious threat to pig populations and pig farmers' livelihoods. There is no effective treatment or vaccine for ASF, making prevention and containment a strict measure as the virus can survive in the environment and pork products. Direct contact between pigs, contaminated feed, industrial equipment, transportation, or even wild boar can spread the virus. The outbreak leads to a rapid rise in the mortality rate of pigs, and controlling the spread of the disease becomes extremely difficult, requiring timely action.

If you are pig farmers or nearby residents, here are the important precautions and signs you should keep in mind

• Sudden death (very mild signs or asymptomatic in the hours preceding death)
• High fever
• Loss of appetite, weakness
• Skin reddening, bleeding, or patchy areas
• Respiratory distress, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea

Biosecurity - disinfect boots, vehicles, tools, and disinfect and restrict access for farm visitors.

Zonal - segregation of affected and healthy herds for 28 days as well as before commingling with existing herds.

Feed control - an absolute no on swill feeding or any food waste from unknown sources.

Notify veterinary authorities in your area on any symptoms as early as possible - a potential disease in farmed pigs.

Do not move pigs, pork products or anything else that you own.

ASF will not infect humans but the mass culling of pigs will affect the available pork, farmers incomes and the food and pig farming communities. Rapid containment is the key.

African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, with no cure or vaccine available.

ASF spreads through direct contact between pigs, contaminated feed, equipment, transportation, or wild boar.

Symptoms include sudden death, high fever, loss of appetite, weakness, skin reddening, bleeding, respiratory distress, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea.

Farmers should practice biosecurity, segregate affected herds, avoid swill feeding, and notify veterinary authorities if symptoms are observed.