China, the biggest consumer of pork in the world, has banned the import of pigs and wild boars from India to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
About:
African swine fever (ASF) is a severe viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs.
This transboundary animal disease (TAD) can be spread by live or dead pigs, and pork products; furthermore, transmission can also occur via contaminated feed and fomites (non-living objects) due to the high environmental resistance of the ASF virus
There is no approved vaccine against ASF.
Humans are not susceptible to the disease.
Symptoms: Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, lack of energy, abortions, internal bleeding, with hemorrhages visible on the ears and flanks. Sudden death may occur.
Outbreaks:
It was first detected in Africa in the 1920s.
More recently (since 2007) the disease has been reported in multiple countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe, in both domestic and wild pigs.
Since February 2020, African swine fever (ASF) has killed over 17,000 pigs in Assam and an unknown number in Arunachal Pradesh. This is the first time India has reported the disease, and since ASF hasn’t been to India before.
African Swine Fever
Context:
China, the biggest consumer of pork in the world, has banned the import of pigs and wild boars from India to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
About:
Outbreaks:
Since February 2020, African swine fever (ASF) has killed over 17,000 pigs in Assam and an unknown number in Arunachal Pradesh. This is the first time India has reported the disease, and since ASF hasn’t been to India before.