African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. It has a very high mortality rate (100%) and is caused by a virus that belongs to the Asfarviridae family. African Swine fever can cause the end of an entire pig farming operation and cause actual financial loss for pig farmers. It is no doubt the menace of the pig farming industry. ASF is not a new disease, it has been known for many years, but has recently spread rapidly in some parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Mode of Transmission

African swine fever (ASF) is highly contagious among pigs and can be transmitted through a number of different routes. Contamination generally occurs via direct contact with tissue and bodily fluids from infected or carrier pigs, including discharges from the nose, mouth, urine, feces, or infected semen. This happens when there is direct contact with infected pigs or with materials that have come into contact with the virus
The virus can also be transmitted by ticks, which can carry the virus from infected to healthy pigs. Ticks can pick up the virus from infected pigs and then transmit it to other pigs when they bite them. In addition to these transmission routes, ASF can also be transmitted indirectly through contaminated feed, water, or equipment that has come into contact with infected pigs or their bodily fluids. It is important for farmers and pig industry workers to be aware of the ways in which ASF can be transmitted and to take appropriate measures to prevent its spread

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of ASF can vary depending on the strain of the virus and the age and immune status of the infected pig. Some common signs of ASF include

• Red or dark patches on the skin: Some pigs may develop red or dark patches on their skin, particularly around their ears, snout, and legs.
• Fever: Infected pigs may have a higher than normal body temperature. Usually, around 40-42°C
  Weakness: Pigs may be less active and have difficulty standing or moving around.
• Appetite loss: Infected pigs may have a reduced appetite or stop eating altogether.
• Difficulty breathing: Pigs may have difficulty breathing and may make grunting noises when they breathe.
• Internal bleeding: Some pigs may experience internal bleeding, which can lead to the presence of blood in their stool or vomit.

It is important to note that not all infected pigs will show symptoms, and some may only show mild symptoms. However, the disease can be severe and leads to death, particularly in younger pigs. If you suspect that your pigs may be infected with ASF, it is important to contact your local veterinarian or animal health authorities for advice.

Incubation period

The incubation period of African swine fever (ASF) is the time it takes for symptoms of the disease to appear after a pig has been infected. In general, the incubation period for ASF ranges from 3 to 15 days, but it can be as long as 21 days in some cases. This means that it can take up to three weeks for symptoms of the disease to appear after a pig has been infected.
During the incubation period, the virus is replicating within the pig's body and the pig may be shedding the virus, which means that it can infect other pigs even before it starts showing any symptoms. This makes it important to implement biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus, even if there are no apparent cases of ASF on the farm.

Prevention measures

There are several measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF) on pig farms:

• Implementing biosecurity measures: This involves taking steps to prevent the introduction of ASF onto the farm and to minimize the risk of its spread. Make adequate research on biosecurity measures that can be applied in your farming operation. This can include measures such as restricting access to the farm, limiting the movement of pigs and pig products, and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting vehicles and equipment before and after entering the farm.
• Quarantine: It is important to isolate any new pigs introduced to the farm for a period of time to ensure that they are not carrying the virus.
• Testing: Regular testing of pigs on the farm can help to identify any cases of ASF early on and allow for appropriate measures to be taken.
• Good hygiene and management practices: Ensuring that pigs are kept in clean and well-ventilated environments, and providing them with clean feed and water, can help to reduce the risk of ASF and other diseases.

Treatment

There is no treatment. All infected animals must be isolated and culled immediately upon confirming the presence of the virus.

Conclusion

Pig farmers must know that ASF cannot affect a farm without coming in somehow. Its process of spreading is fast and most times untraceable. Farmers must maintain adequate bio-security measures to prevent the entry of swine fever into the farms. By following these prevention measures, it is possible to reduce the risk of ASF on pig farms.