Varkgriep-uitbraak in die Oos-Kaap | Outbreak of African Swine Fever in Eastern Cape

English to follow:

12 Mei 2020

Agri SA en sy geaffilieerde lede, Agri Oos-Kaap en die Suid-Afrikaanse Varkprodusente-organisasies (SAVPO), het onderneem om met die regering saam te werk om te verseker dat die uitbraak van Varkgriep (ASF) in die Amathole Distriksmunisipaliteit nie versprei nie en dat dit so goed as moontlik hanteer word in belang van kommersiële sowel as kleinskaalse varkboere.

Die siekte het in ‘n kommunale gebied uitgebreek, wat dus bewegingsbeheer en biosekuriteit tussen varkkuddes bemoeilik.  Volgens die Direkteur van Dieregesondheid by die Departement van Landbou, Dr Mpho Maja, word uitslagting van varke in hierdie gebied tans oorweeg. Die gebied is egter onder kwarantyn geplaas.

SAVPO se hoof uitvoerende beampte, Johann Kotze, het bevestig dat dit noodsaaklik is om te verseker dat ‘n akkurate en doeltreffende kommunikasiestrategie gevolg word om enige potensiële vrese en wanpersepsies omtrent ASF af te weer en om varkprodusente in die betrokke gebied in te lig oor hoe die siekte versprei en hoe hulle hul varke teen die virus kan beskerm. Beheermaatreëls sluit in die skeiding van alle besmette varke van gesonde varke so ver moontlik ten einde verspreiding van die siekte te beperk.

“Die noodsaaklikheid van ‘n sterk werksverhouding tussen georganiseerde landbou en die regering om die varkgriep-uitbraak in die Oos-Kaap aan te spreek kan nie oorbeklemtoon word nie,” sê Janse Rabie, Hoof van Agri SA se Sentrum van Uitnemendheid: Natuurlike Hulpbronne. “Ons is baie gelukkig om die nodige strukture en kommunikasiekanale met die regering sowel as landelike gemeenskappe in plek te hê. Ons vertrou dat ons saam die situasie sal kan hanteer.”

ASF het geen effek op mense nie, daarom is dit veilig om varkvleis te eet. Enige vleis en -vleisprodukte van besmette varke kan egter ander varke besmet.

‘n Beroep word gedoen op varkboere/produsente om oplettend te wees en enige skielike siektetoestand of vrektes onder hul varke onmiddellik by die plaaslike Staatsveeartsenykantoor aan te meld sodat spoedige stappe aangewend kan word om verspreiding van die siekte te verhoed.

Navrae:

Janse Rabie: Hoof: Natuurlike Hulpbronne, Agri SA

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Agri SA and its affiliated members, Agri Eastern Cape and the  South African Pork Producers Organisation (SAPPO) have committed to working with government to ensure the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape is contained and handled as well as possible in the interests of commercial and small scale pig farmers alike.

The outbreak occurred in a communal setting, which makes movement control and biosecurity between pig herds difficult. According to the Director of Animal Health at the Department of Agriculture, Dr Mpho Maja, the culling of pigs in the area of the reported outbreak is not currently being considered. The area has, however, been placed under quarantine.

SAPPO CEO, Johan Kotze, affirmed that it is imperative to ensure that an accurate and effective communication strategy be followed to allay any potential fears and misconceptions about ASF and to inform pig keepers in the affected area on how the disease is spread and how they can protect their pigs from the virus. Control measures include that all infected pigs should be kept as far as possible from those that are not so as to limit the spread of the disease.

“The importance of a strong working relationship between organised agriculture and government in dealing with outbreak of ASF in the Eastern Cape cannot be overstated” says Janse Rabie, Head of Agri SA’s Natural Resources Centre of Excellence. “We are very fortunate to have the necessary structures and communication channels in place with both government and rural communities. We are confident that together we will be able to handle the situation.”

ASF does not affect humans and the consumption of pork is safe. However, any meat and products from affected pigs can be a source of infection to other pigs.

Farmers/pig keepers are requested to be vigilant and to report any sudden illness and deaths in their pigs to the local State Veterinary office immediately so that swift action can be initiated to prevent the spread of the disease.

 Enquiries:

Janse Rabie: Head of Natural Resources, Agri SA