Swine fever hits Ashanti Region, 400 pigs killed

An outbreak of African swine fever has hit the Ashanti region, the Veterinary Services Department has revealed.

The affected communities are Adjaman and Amakom in the Bosomtwe District, Hemang near Santasi in the Atwima Nwabiagya District and Tepa in the Ahafo Ano North District.

There has been a ban on the movement and slaughtering of pigs and its products to and from the affected communities as a measure to control the spread of the disease which is caused by a virus.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks pigs.

The disease may occur in acute, sub-acute or chronic forms. The acute form causes the death of majority of infected pigs. Migration of animals is said to be the cause of the rapid spread of the disease.

Dr. Kenneth Gbeddy, the National Director for Veterinary Services Department told Accra-based Starr FM: “There is no treatment and no vaccine to protect against it…so the only option is to destroy and then clean and disinfect the place.”

“It has been identified in other parts of the country. We are trying as much as possible to keep it from spreading.”