The National Veterinary Research institute (NVRI) Vom, Plateau State, in collaboration with the Federal and State Ministry of Agriculture have confirmed the outbreak of African swine fever in Abia State.
The Director Vet. Services and Chief Vet. Officer Dr (Mrs) Q. N. Nwokocha who disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf the Commissioner for Agriculture said the disea is not a zoonotic disease but can cause very serious economic and production losses.
The statement asked farmers and vendors of pig/pork to report cases of African Swine fever (ASF) to veterinary Service Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Umuahia for rapid response.
“The under listed signs should be watched: Fiver, Lack of appetite, Purple discolorations of the skin, Cough, Diarrhea, Sudden abortion in pregnancy,” it said.
It further directed all road side pork vendors to discontinue selling at their various points and temporarily relocate to the disinfected pig market at Apumiri Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA to avoid further spread of the virus to enable the ministry disinfect such areas to stem further spread of the disease.
According to the statement, “The present administration under the able leadership of Governor Okezie Victor lkpeazu PhD, through the ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with relevant agencies are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the total prevention of further spread of the virus to other pig farms in the State.”
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