July 20, 2005

South Africa confirms first swine fever outbreak since 1918
 

It is official - South Africa is now facing its first outbreak of swine fever since 1918, the country's agriculture officials announced on Jul 19.

The disease, also known as classical swine fever or hog cholera, has killed 700 pigs on two farms and 50 in informal settlements in just over a week in Worcester, a town situated about 120 km from South Africa's capital Cape Town, according to the country's Department of Agriculture.

1,202 more pigs have been culled with affected farms placed under a six-week quarantine. Authorities have also suspended international exports from the province of Western Cape until the outbreak is brought under control.

No sign of the disease are detected anywhere else in the country, the agriculture department said. A British laboratory will soon confirm the nature of the outbreak while local investigators continue to determine the source of the disease.

Swine fever is caused by a virus and can be spread through waste or saliva. While it poses no threat to humans, the disease can kill herds of hogs in a matter of weeks. If uncontrolled, the outbreak can potentially stall the US$302-million hog industry in South Africa.