South Africa hit by African swine fever

South Africa has been hit by an outbreak of African swine fever, a highly contagious disease that causes fatal haemorrhages in pigs, the Ministry of Agriculture has said.

The outbreak has been reported in the Springbok area of the Northern Cape province.

The disease is transmitted through contact with other infected pigs or ticks and by feeding them with infected swill.

In a statement, the ministry said pigs could become sick at a "rapid pace", and a "great number" could die, AFP news agency reports.

The ministry called on farmers to be vigilant when buying pigs and to avoid feeding them unboiled kitchen waste which could carry the virus.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS
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