African Swine Fever in the North East
The African Swine Fever has stuck Meghalaya. Earlier, it had struck Mizoram.
Current Scenario
The African Swine Fever has killed 1,700 pigs in Mizoram in a month. It has now spread to Meghalaya and has killed three hundred pigs here so far.
African Swine Fever in Philippines
The Philippines Government recently placed the country under a State of Calamity for a year to address the impact of African Swine Fever. The first case of African Swine Fever was reported in 2019. It has killed more than three million hogs (domesticated pigs) since its outbreak in 2019.
About African Swine Fever
- It was first detected in Africa in 1920s.
- There is no cure to the disease and thus the only way to stop the disease from spreading is by culling the animals.
- It is not a threat to human beings. This is because, the disease spreads from animal to animal.
- The African Swine Fever virus is resistant to low temperatures. It dies only when the hogs are heated to seventy to hundred degrees Celsius.
- It is highly contagious and is a transboundary disease.
- Between 2016 and 2019, there were 10,211 outbreaks in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Transmission
- The disease is transmitted through direct contact.
- The biological vectors that transmit the disease are ticks and fomites.
OIE
- The African Swine Fever has been included in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. And should thus be reported to OIE.
- According to OIE, 24% of its member countries have reported the disease.
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Month: Current Affairs - May, 2021