Swine fever kills over 50 pigs in Mbarara

More than 50 pigs in Mbarara municipality have succumbed to the African swine fever, the district veterinary officer has confirmed.

Dr Moses Amanyire, said on Wednesday that the pigs started dying in January this year but farmers didn’t report immediately because they were ignorant about the disease.

“In March, the team of veterinary officers started investigating the death of the pigs only to discover they had succumbed to African swine fever,” he said.

Dr Amanyire said that the most affected farmers are from Nyamitanga and Nyakayoojo divisions in Mbarara municipality.

He cautioned farmers in the area to take extra care while feeding and handling pigs so that they don’t get infected in the process.

“Restocking the piggery units must be done with extra care to avoid further infections. The mortality rate of African swine fever is at times up to 100 per cent and can lead to a serious economic challenge,” he advised.

Dr Amanyire said that while the virus doesn’t spread to humans, they must embrace safe practices while handling pigs and pork as well.

Mr Joseph Bakebwa, a resident of Nyakayoojo division said that he lost five pigs to the fever and didn’t know what was wrong until his neighbours’ pigs tested positive. He said farmers lack enough knowledge on prevention and called for increased sensitization on the fever. 

Mr Veronica Atuhairwe, another piggery farmer said the fever claimed her two pigs and she first blamed the death to poisoning by their enemies until the veterinary team intervened.

An infected pig presents with fever, vomiting before it collapses to death.