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Director of Plateau Veterinary Services, Dr. Sipak Shase’et, says African Swine Fever (ASF) is largely under control following intensified surveillance, farmers’ sensitisation and strengthened biosecurity measures across the state.
The disease, which broke out in April, has affected 350 pig farms in the state, resulting in the death of more than 4,000 pigs and 2,500 piglets.
Shase’et made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos.
He said no major new outbreak had been recorded following recent surveillance, although isolated cases had been promptly contained in some local government areas.
“As of today, Plateau does not have any active, widespread outbreak of ASF. However, four local government areas remain under restriction.
“The affected farms were quarantined, infected pigs were safely depopulated, and disinfection was carried out.
“We have not recorded any unusual spike in pig mortality in recent times,” he said.
Shase’et said the Ministry of Livestock Development Services, through the Department of Veterinary Services, had intensified active surveillance in major pig farms and pig-producing communities across the state to prevent fresh outbreaks.
He said veterinary officers had also stepped up farmers’ sensitisation on disease reporting, movement control and compliance with biosecurity protocols.
“We are telling farmers that ASF has no cure and no vaccine yet.
“The only effective defence is prevention; farmers should report sudden illness or deaths immediately to the nearest veterinary clinic,” he said.
The director explained that ASF does not affect humans but causes severe economic losses to pig farmers because of its high mortality rate among infected animals.
He urged farmers to avoid introducing pigs from unknown sources into their farms, restrict visitors’ access to pig pens and maintain proper sanitation to minimise the risk of infection.
Shase’et added that no compensation would be paid to farmers affected by the recent outbreak, although the government might consider such support in future.
He assured pig farmers that the department would sustain surveillance and other containment measures until the disease was completely eliminated from the state. (NAN)
