African Swine Fever outbreak China
World’s biggest pork producer
African Swine Fever outbreak China
World’s biggest pork producer
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said there had been 87 confirmed outbreaks identified in China, the world's biggest pork producer. African Swine Fever (ASF), with more than 600,000 pigs culled in 22 provinces since August.
Keeping African swine fever out of Australia
There has been recent spread of African swine fever (ASF) overseas. ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. The disease has generally been present in countries of sub-Saharan Africa, and has more recently been reported in Eastern Europe (including the Ukraine and Russia). In August 2018, it was reported for the first time in China, and in September 2018 it was detected in western Europe (Belgium) for the first time.
The department is responding actively to this new outbreak. ASF has never occurred here and it is crucial that Australia remains free from the disease.
African swine fever (ASF) is a severe viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs;
It is responsible for serious production and economic losses;
This transboundary animal disease (TAD) can be spread by live or dead pigs, domestic or wild, and pork products; furthermore, transmission can also occur via contaminated feed and fomites (non-living objects) such as shoes, clothes, vehicles, knives, equipment etc., due to the high environmental resistance of ASF virus.
An outbreak of ASF in Australia would have significant impacts on pig production and health. In addition, our access to economically important international markets would be compromised. It would also be very difficult and costly to eradicate.
Humans are not susceptible to ASF but we all have a role in preventing exotic diseases, like ASF, arriving in Australia - even if we don’t own or work around farm animals.
Pig owners
Regardless of whether you are a large-scale pig producer or you have a pet pig in your backyard, you need to keep your animals healthy, and this includes providing them with good food that is safe.
Pigs must not be fed meat, food containing meat or food which has been in contact with meat, or imported dairy products. This is known as swill feeding, and it is prohibited in Australia because of its potential to introduce serious animal diseases like ASF and foot-and-mouth disease. Swill feeding is believed to have contributed to the international spread of ASF.
There are a number of other practices pig owners and producers should implement to protect their animals. The National Farm Biosecurity Manual for Pork Production contains information and specific procedures for all pig farmers to follow to help reduce the risk of disease entering a property, spreading through livestock and/or being passed to surrounding livestock operations.
Producers are urged to consider their biosecurity arrangements, including the risks from overseas visitors and workers returning from overseas. Producers should follow accepted good biosecurity practices (including entry controls and protocols, hygiene requirements, and visitor logs) and review those covering stock transport. It is also timely to undertake additional staff training to ensure a good understanding of biosecurity arrangements.
More about ASF, including what signs to look for in your pigs
If you see signs of disease consistent with ASF in domestic or feral pigs, contact your veterinarian and/or phone the Emergency on 1800 675 888 immediately. This will put you in touch with your state or territory animal health authority. Suspect cases of African swine fever must be reported to animal health authorities.
