April 11, 2006

Province in South Africa ravaged by swine Fever
 

The province of Eastern Cape in South Africa has banned the movement of pigs and pig products after an outbreak of swine fever, the Department of Agriculture said on Monday (Apr 10).

The province has been declared a "classical swine fever controlled area" under the Animal Diseases Act, spokesperson Steve Galane added.

More than 245 000 pigs have been culled since the outbreak of classical swine fever in the Eastern Cape last year.

Meanwhile, a surveillance programme is running in all provinces to detect any occurrence of the disease, Galane said.

The disease cannot be treated and the virus can survive in pig products and frozen pig carcasses for extended periods.

Although swine fever has not been transferred to humans, pigs that have died from the disease should not be consumed according to a statement from the department.