Source: TH
Context: An outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious disease affecting pigs, has been reported in Kerala’s Kottayam district. Authorities have initiated culling measures and declared infected zones to contain the disease’s spread.
About African Swine Fever (ASF):
- Origin:
- ASF is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa but has spread globally to regions like Asia and Europe.
- Vector:
- Transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated clothing, vehicles, or bites by infectious soft ticks.
- Mode of Spread:
- Direct contact with infected pigs or pork products.
- Indirect contact via contaminated surfaces and equipment.
- Disease Found In:
- Affects domestic and wild pigs exclusively.
- Zoonotic or Not:
- ASF is not zoonotic; it poses no risk to human health.
- Symptoms:
- Fever, loss of appetite, inflamed eye membranes, red skin, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Cure:
- No vaccine or cure is available. Culling infected pigs is the only effective containment measure.
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