As of May 22, a total of 23 villages were investigated, with 16 reporting that there had been abnormal pig deaths and seven reported no abnormal pig deaths. Further investigations were ongoing and more villages would be visited. Samples had been sent to the laboratory and, so far, two villages had tested positive for ASF with other test results still awaited, the agriculture, land reform, and rural development department said in a statement.

A separate outbreak of ASF was reported on May 15 in the Mafube local municipality in the Free State, when 38 out of 70 pigs died on one farm. The source of the outbreak was being investigated, with possible connections to movement of animals and/or people.

Since the beginning of 2020, this was the third ASF outbreak reported. A new outbreak was reported from a "continuing event since 2019 in the Lekwa local municipality, Mpumalanga".

"For all these ASF outbreaks, the properties/areas were quarantined and movement controls from these properties/areas implemented. Mortalities were disposed of and registers kept of remaining pigs. Awareness drives highlighting essential biosecurity measures to enable pig owners to prevent infection of their pigs have been initiated.

"The disease is transmitted to pigs through contact with infected wild or domestic pigs, infected soft ticks, contact with people, vehicle equipment or shoes, and eating contaminated food waste, feed, or garbage," the department said.

Farmers could keep their pigs safe by enclosing them to prevent contact with pigs of unknown health status, including wild pigs and warthogs; only buying healthy pigs from a reliable source; not feeding kitchen waste to pigs, but if there was no other option, removing all meats and cooking the waste thoroughly; not allowing visitors to have contact with pigs; and before having contact with pigs, washing one's hands, using only clean clothes, shoes, equipment, and vehicles that had not been in contact with other pigs.

"The department encourages taking lessons from Covid-19 and practicing good measures such as 'social distancing' — keep your pigs confined, do not allow people access to your pigs, do not introduce new pigs whose health status and origin is unknown to you. 'Self-isolation' — place new animals under quarantine before you introduce them to your herd until you are sure they are safe. 'Disinfection' — regularly clean your sties and keep the environment clean at all times.

"Where possible, upgrade your establishment/farm to a compartment with the advice and help of a local veterinarian or Sappo [South African Pork Producers' Association]."

ASF did not affect humans and the consumption of pork was safe. However, any meat and products from affected pigs could be a source of infection for other pigs. Farmers should therefore ensure that swill was pre-cooked for at least an hour before it was fed to pigs. This would ensure the inactivation of the ASF virus as well as other diseases of concern.

Farmers were requested to be vigilant and to report any sudden illness and deaths in their pigs to the local state veterinary office immediately so that swift action could be initiated to prevent the spread of the disease, the department said.

African News Agency