September 19, 2007

 

Blue-ear outbreaks sweep 21 South African pig farms
 

 

Outbreaks of blue-ear Disease have been reported at 21 pig farms in South Africa's Western Cape, according to Minister of agriculture Cobus Dowry.

 

Approximately 8000 pigs appear to be involved at this stage, said Dowry.

 

Tests at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute and the Foot and Mouth Disease Research Centre had confirmed the presence of the disease, Dowry said.

 

The disease has been reported on several pig farms in three districts of the Western Cape province, Dowry said.

 

The department said signs of the disease were detected on August 1, on a farm during routine serological monitoring of pigs.

 

The disease was also confirmed on September 12 as being of the European strain of PRRS after samples were sent to the Britain.

 

The last outbreak in South Africa was in April 2004, in which the American strain of the disease was identified. Dowry said the new outbreak with the European strain implied that this would be a second incursion of the virus from overseas.

 

Both strains occur in Europe and the United States of America but the former in this outbreak appears to be less virulent than the American strain, the department said.

 

The department said all positive and suspect farms had already been placed under quarantine and a movement ban on pigs from these farms was in place.

 

The existing issuing of "red cross permits" for all other pig movements was still in force and farmers were requested to continue applying for these from their local State Veterinary Office.

 

However, serologically positive PRRS pigs would be slaughtered at abattoirs as the disease posed no risk to people and was suitable for human consumption.