There are many deadly viruses that livestock can get. One of the most dangerous diseases for pigs is the African plague. Where the virus comes from and how to avoid infection will be discussed in this article.

Description of the disease

African swine fever (ASF) is a dangerous infectious disorder in the body. The disease causes huge losses, as all pigs on the farm become infected, regardless of age and health. In order to understand the causes of such a disorder, you need to find out where such a disease may come from.

Pathogen

The causative agent of ASF is a virus containing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is able to survive in almost any environment.

Did you know? A virus is not an animated being, but a chemical substance. He is not able to eat, therefore, without a carrier does not represent anything.

It poses a special danger to the whole family, as it is transmitted through the air and through contact with an infected animal or object (food, feces, soil).

Symptoms and first signs of the disease

The incubation period of this virus lasts from 1 to 2 weeks.

The main symptoms of the presence of the disease in pigs, which are caused by pathological changes in the body, are:

• temperature increase above 40 degrees;
• refusal of food;
• apathy;
• hard breath;
• mucous discharge from the eyes and nose;
• impaired coordination and motor skills;
• digestion problems;
• the presence of hematomas, bloody smudges;
• fever;
• pneumonia.

Symptoms directly depend on the form of the course of the disease, since the disease manifests itself in different ways.

Ultra sharp shape

With this form of the disease, the animal suddenly dies within 3, maximum 5 days.

The ultra-sharp form is characterized by:

• a sharp jump in body temperature up to 41–42 degrees;
• severe lethargy and complete refusal of food.

Acute form

This form lasts longer after the end of the incubation period. Mortality occurs on day 9-14 in 90% of cases of damage. During the acute form, the animal has all of the listed symptoms of the disease, and sick pigs tend to stray into groups and constantly lie down.

The danger of the acute course of the disease lies in the fact that at this stage it is easy to confuse it with the classic plague, salmonellosis or ordinary poisoning. Bruises and bloody smudges usually appear much later than other symptoms.

Subacute form

The subacute form is less dangerous, since it lasts 10–20 days, and the probability of mortality drops to 30–70%.

What does the sick population look like: the manifestation of the subacute form resembles an acute one, however, the symptoms are much less pronounced, especially hematomas - they are not saturated, but noticeable in color. Pigs can recover fully after a subacute form in a month.

Chronic form

The chronic manifestation of ASF is the safest, since the risk of death drops to 30% or lower. Symptoms appear 2–3 weeks after the lesion.

Important! Most often, a chronic form of the disease occurs in Spain, Portugal and Angola.

First, there is a slight increase in temperature and slight redness on the body. Then the limbs swell, the development of pneumonia also occurs.

Virus treatment

The virus is a very peculiar pathogen, which is characterized in that its vital activity is not possible outside the cell. He gets into it and forces him to work for himself, which makes it impossible to get rid of him without killing the cell itself. That is why most viruses are not treatable.

In order to understand whether treatment is possible, it is necessary to understand what a vaccine and medicine are.

Is there a vaccine

So, vaccination is a preventive measure, therefore, such a prophylaxis against ASF disease, of course, exists. In order to protect pigs in advance from the African plague, piglets need an ASF vaccine.

This means that the pig will be deliberately introduced a small dose of the active virus, which can easily overcome immunity. It is such an extreme work of antibodies that will allow in the future to be invulnerable to a dangerous pathogen.

However, many farmers do not make such vaccinations in order to save money, hoping that the trouble will bypass his barn. And in the case of already present symptoms, they frantically run to the veterinarian and ask for a vaccine.In this case, the risk of mortality directly depends on the animal’s body, therefore it is impossible to call this a treatment and one hundred percent option to save the lives of pets.

Did you know? Some farmers add 150 g of vodka to sick pigs as a “treatment” and note that this is a panacea. However, chemical confirmation of the beneficial effect of vodka is not clearly established.

Quarantine

The rules for fighting infection, unfortunately, are rather scarce. If the pigs show the slightest signs of ASF, the animals must be urgently isolated, vaccinated (as an additional measure) and very carefully monitor the remaining animals.

It is very likely that the remaining pigs are also affected, but the incubation period lasts a little longer.

The likelihood of pet death depends on the form of the disease, but in most cases, the African plague is fatal. If necessary, sick animals should immediately be sent to slaughter in a specially designated place.

Disease prevention

Preventive measures in cases of viruses are very simple, however, unfortunately, not all farmers pay due attention to this.

So, in order to protect pigs from the African plague, it is necessary:

1. To buy feed and equipment only in specialized stores. Each conscientious seller can easily provide certificates and sales permits.
2. Regularly carry out general cleaning in bread and in warehouses with food. Maintain a disinfection schedule.
3. Limit access to pigs: other animals should not be in contact with them.
4. Buy only trusted boars and queens with medical documents.
5. Regularly carry out seasonal vaccinations against fatal diseases.
6. Show your farm to the vet.

African swine fever - a danger to humans

A very important question is whether the infection is dangerous to humans. Although this disease is fatal for animals, ASF has no fatal effect on humans. But there have been cases of decreased immunity after contact with affected representatives.

Is it possible to eat meat

Given all of the above, one thing can be said: it is not worth it to eat meat from patients with African plague. But, it will never occur to many people, due to very pronounced external changes. Large bruises and smudges on the meat should greatly alert the cooks.

So, the African plague virus is very dangerous because of the high mortality rate of the entire pig population. Symptoms and their manifestation depend on the form of the course of the disease, and mortality also depends on it. However, with the observance of preventive measures and timely vaccination of dangerous consequences can be avoided.