African Swine Fever threatens 90,000 pigs in northern Malawi
The South East African country of Malawi says a suspected outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has occurred in the northern Rumphi and Mzimba districts putting at risk a total of 92,000 pigs.
This was reported by the Nyasa Times, an online news site providing Malawian news.
According to the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Department, 5,000 pigs valued at Malawi Kwacha 25 million (€116,000) have already died.
The affected areas are Chiweta, Mhuju, Nchenachena, Bolero and Katowo in Rumphi and Emfeni in Mzimba. Both districts are located in the country’s north. So far 4,600 pigs in Rumphi and 365 pigs in Mzimba have died due to the suspected outbreak.
Illegal transportation
The country’s chief animal health officer Jacob Mwasinga told the Nyasa Times: “Swine fever which was detected in Tanzania three months ago crossed over to Malawi through illegal transportation of pigs or pork.
“In Karonga and Chitipa districts which border Tanzania about 6,000 pigs have died. So far they is no vaccination but we bar the transportation of pigs or pork but we have not been successful because the disease is here in Mzimba district about 225 km from Karonga,” he said
Police
Mwasinga said they have enlisted the help of the police to ensure that pigs or pork is not transported from one area to another.
“They is no effect with people who eat meat from infected animals apart from the fact that they become carriers of the disease and can easily pass it on if they enter a pig sty or come into contact with pigs,” he explained.
Related website:
• Nyasa Times
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