Agriculture Ministry urges farmers to take precautions against African swine fever

Kathmandu, Feb 12: In view of the increased risk for African swine fever in pigs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has urged the pig farmers to take high precautions.     

As the Ministry said, no vaccine is available as of now against the disease. The farmers have been urged to take bio-safety measures in the pig farms. If any animal dies of an unnatural reason, as the Ministry said, it must be reported to the relevant bodies concerning livestock services at the federal, province and local levels.     

Domesticated pigs and wild pigs may be infected with this viral disease.     

High fever ranging from 104 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit and rashes on ear, tails, lower part of stomach and outer part of skin of the animal are the symptoms of African swine fever, according to the Ministry.     

Development of blue rashes on body, loss of appetite and vomiting are the consequences of the infection. The fatality rate is also high from this disease, it is said. Though it is highly pandemic disease, it is not transmitted from animals to humans.     

Dr Sanjeev Pandit of Agriculture, Information and Training Center, this disease is easily transmission able from one place to another from the transport of meat products from the infected animals.     

The virus was first detected three years ago in Nepal. It is said the virus has been presently spread to over 10,000 pigs in the Kathmandu Valley and adjoining areas.(RSS)