African Swine Fever

Current Context : At least 120 villages in six districts of Mizoram – Aizawl, Champhai, Lunglei, Saitual, Khawzawl and Serchhip have been infected by the African Swine Fever outbreak.

The death toll of pigs crossed to 3,350.

ABOUT AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF):

• ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs.
• Mortality rate can reach 100%.
• The ASF virus is a large, enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus that is the sole member of the genus Asfivirus within the family Asfarviridae.
• Symptoms: fever, weak pigs, lack of appetite, inflamed eye mucous membranes, red skin, (bloody) diarrhea, and vomiting.
• Spread through: Direct contact with infected animals, Indirect contact through the ingestion of products from infected animals, contact with contaminated clothing, vehicles, or equipment and bites by infectious soft ticks (where present).
• The virus is able to survive for long periods in pork and pork meat products.
• In India, it was first confirmed in Arunachal Pradesh and Assamin February-March 2020.

It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.