An outbreak of African swine fever has been reported in Masaka Region and a number of pig farmers are counting losses, having lost their animals in the previous week.
The African swine fever is a contagious and infectious disease that spreads
rapidly among pigs. It is passed on to the pigs in a vicious cycle between soft
ticks and wild pigs and direct contact with infected pigs.
Though the exact number of dead pigs has not been established, Masaka District Veterinary Officer, Dr Kirumira Mukasa says that cases of swine fever have been reported in Buwunga Sub-county where farmers have lost a big number of pigs.
The disease has also been reported in neighbouring districts of Bukomansimbi, Sembabule and Lwengo. Dr Mukasa explained, “African swine fever is dangerous and it causes sudden death of the animals. The infected pig shows signs of high fever, loss of appetite and difficulties in breathing and in two or to three days, it dies”
Swine Fever was last reported in Masaka
in 2017 where farmers lost over 300 pigs at one farm in Mwalo Village,
Kimannya/Kyabakuza Division.
In 2015, pig farmers in the same district also suffered an outbreak of African
swine fever especially in Kabonera Sub-county and areas such as Kabonera ‘B’,
Kiziba, Kasanje and Kyamuyimbwa and parts of Rakai District.
Dr Mukasa advised local
farmers to take control measure in dealing with the disease. He said that through
confining their herds, restricting their movements, burying carcasses of the infected
pigs, and carrying out preliminary disinfection by spraying the premises, the
disease shall be dealt with.
