African swine fever may be difficult to control

RED DEER – African swine fever is unlikely to hit Canadian hog farms, but if the deadly disease were to occur, it could be out of control.

"Canada is no more in danger than it has ever been," said Dr. John Carr, European veterinary pork specialist.

The biggest threat could be at the borders where security officials need to be on the alert. People could bring potentially infected meat with them on their travels, he said at the Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop on Oct. 24.

Pigs can catch the virus by eating contaminated food, including garbage or garbage, as well as through direct contact with people or other animals carrying the disease.

Although the disease has been detected in wild boar, the transportation of contaminated meats and meat products is a major threat, spreading it over long distances.

"The disease travels about five kilometers a year. Unfortunately, people are traveling 100 km / h, "he said.

The Japanese discovered the virus in pork smuggled from China, where the disease ravages hog farms.

The disease is suspected to have landed in Georgia, a country in Eurasia, when an African ship dumped garbage that the pigs in the open air finally consumed.

Eastern European truck drivers deliver goods all over the continent. It is assumed that they carry food for their personal use and throw away unwanted waste. Wild boars then eat and get sick.

China was hit hard by reporting its first cases last August. The Chinese tried to contain the outbreak north of the Yangtze River but failed, with cases reported in mid-October.

China kills all pigs within three kilometers of an infected farm.

"So if you do not have an infected case and your neighbor has an infected case, you lose your farm anyway," Carr said.

There is no vaccine and the disease is highly contagious in domestic pigs and wild boars. It is endemic in pigs of sub-Saharan Africa and Sardinia.

The first sign is a high fever of 40 ° C or more. The few animals that survive can continue to shed the virus, Carr said. Animals may show signs of joint pain and patients may fall. In finishing buildings, there is a lot of bloody diarrhea. Sows abort. Infected pigs die quickly.

In the barn of a client, Carr lost 10 people Monday, 36 people Wednesday and 76 people Friday.

Post mortem results show hypertrophy of the spleen, haemorrhages in the kidneys and sometimes the heart.

Some diseases, such as classical swine fever, have appeared in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Serious biosecurity is needed, including strong perimeter fences around farms. Pigs can dig burrows and jump fences.

"You need a perimeter fence. Almost no one in Canada has a perimeter fence, "said Carr.

"We have no biosecurity in this country against this pathogen."

Rabobank, in its quarterly report on pork, said global pork markets are threatened by disease that disrupts traditional trade flows and increases biosecurity concerns.

African swine fever found in wild boars in Belgium in September resulted in the quarantine of the region and 16 countries banned trade. These situations force companies to review their plans.

"In view of the significant potential losses, exporters and importers are reassessing production needs for 2019," Rabobank said.