The Epinhood (TEH)

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER – AFRICA: GHANA (SAVANNAH) EPIDEMIC

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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Thu 3 Apr 2025 09:57 GMT
Source: Graphic Online [edited] https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-suspected-african-swine-fever-outbreak-devastates-pig-farms-in-damongo.html

Herds of pigs have died in Damongo, the capital of the Savannah
Region, following a suspected outbreak of African swine fever (ASF).
The outbreak comes barely 2 years after the disease destroyed many pig
farms in the area in 2023, and already, the latest situation has
sparked fears among farmers as they continue to count their losses.

The disease has reportedly spread across areas such as Boroto,
Canteen, Attributu and Sori Number One, in the Savannah region, where
some of the affected farmers have resorted to slaughtering and burying
sick pigs in a bid to control the spread of the outbreak, while others
remained helpless.

The West Gonja Municipal Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Enoch
Sarkodie-Addo, confirmed the incident and said the department had
intensified its surveillance to contain the outbreak. He advised the
farmers to adopt strict biosecurity measures and intensive farming to
reduce the risk of spreading to other farmers, explaining that “The
best solution is strict biosecurity and intensive farming because,
unfortunately, there are no vaccines available for ASF yet, although
research is ongoing.”

Some of the pig farmers who spoke to the Daily Graphic said they had
lost virtually all their animals to the disease. An affected farmer,
[SA], said he lost about 20 pigs in the past week, adding that the
animals continued to die each day without showing any major symptoms.
“In 2023, I lost many pigs, and I have not fully recovered from that
loss. Currently, I am helpless because I don’t know how to prevent the
animals from dying,” he lamented.

Another pig farmer, [DS], who has also been hit harder by the
outbreak, appealed to authorities to as a matter of urgency come to
their aid to help alleviate their plight.

African swine fever is transmitted through direct contact with
infected pigs, contaminated feed and water, and vectors such as ticks
and flies. Its outbreak can be controlled through disinfection and
quarantine measures. The African sub-region is particularly vulnerable
to African swine fever.

[Byline: Mohammed Fugu]