The Cape Agulhas Municipality (CAM), in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and State Veterinary Services, has confirmed a new outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Napier. This follows the earlier confirmed outbreak in Bredasdorp, where containment measures remain in place.
Hendrik Kröhn, CAM Acting Municipal Manager, said laboratory testing by the State Veterinary Services confirmed ASF after pig deaths were first reported in the town on 5 September.
“ASF poses no risk to human health, but is highly contagious and often fatal to domestic and wild pigs,” he said.
According to Kröhn confirmed cases of ASF had been recorded in the Engel Avenue pig encampments in Napier. “No cases have been confirmed in the area in the vicinity of the primary school.”
The municipality confirmed 31 pigs in the Napier area had died from ASF since the outbreak was first confirmed in Bredasdorp, and 1 027 since the first outbreak in August. It said two pigs in the Bredasdorp area remained under strict monitoring and veterinary oversight.
CAM declared quarantine zones in both Bredasdorp and Napier. Law Enforcement and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) personnel had been appointed to secure both sites where strict biosecurity protocols were in place and only pig owners and caretakers were allowed access to the animals in the camps.
“Carcasses are being disposed of at an environmentally-approved site authorised by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning,” said Kröhn. “Veterinary inspections and monitoring continue daily.”
A public meeting for Napier pig farmers was expected to be held shortly, at which officials would provide updates and answer questions. Details were to be communicated directly to affected farmers.
Meanwhile, the public was urged to refrain from moving pigs between different areas and not to sell or buy pigs across municipal boundaries.
Residents were also urged to report any sick or dead pigs to the authorities immediately and not to dump pig carcasses in open areas, rivers or refuse sites.
Kröhn warned that any breach of quarantine regulations is a criminal offence under the Animal Diseases Act and may lead to prosecution.
To report sick or dead pigs contact CAM’s standby numbers: 028 425 5500 or 082 457 1774.
