Mahikeng- The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) informs all farmers in Ipelegeng, Mamusa Local Municipality and surrounding areas that a case of African Swine Fever (ASF) was confirmed within the area on 28th January 2025 to State Veterinary Services in the North West.
The highly contagious viral disease that poses a significant threat to both domestic and wild pig populations was identified by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) OVI (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) in a communal pigsty set. A large number of pigs are confirmed to have died in December 2024 and a local veterinarian was called out in January 2025 to investigate. Up to this stage 162 pigs have been reported to have died.
Dr Langa Madyibi, Director for Veterinary Services says samples were collected from the site which comprises of a group of thirty-three (33) pig farmers to further investigate and establish a conclusive diagnosis as well as the genetic linkage between the current and the previous outbreak which happened in 2016.
In addition, a Joint Operation Centre (JOC) has been set up in Mamusa with all the relevant stakeholders and an action plan to prevent and control the spread of the disease has been crafted.
These control measures in the ASF control zone will aim to prevent movement of pigs and pig products in and out of Ipelegeng. Contact between warthogs and domestic pigs should be avoided to prevent the disease from circulating in the domestic pig population.
“The Department urges all pig owners to be very vigilant, particularly in areas surrounding the affected Ipelegeng Township. Farmers are further warned that contact between wild and domestic pigs should be avoided as the disease readily transmits between infected pigs. Feeding of swill is prohibited by the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984) unless it is cooked for 30 minutes to kill all bacteria and viruses that may be transmitted to pigs” explained Madyibi.
Domestic pigs are highly susceptible and most of the infected pigs will show severe haemorrhagic (bleeding) symptoms and will die soon after contracting ASF. A small proportion of animals may survive and will carry the ASF virus for a few months without any signs of disease but with the ability to infect in-contact pigs.
It is also critical to prevent the disease from spreading to the wild pig population as this may lead to an endemic state being created, which will affect the trade of pigs and pig products.
MEC Madoda Sambatha met with the farmers and mapped a way forward that will assist with the control of the ASF outbreak in Ipelegeng Town.
For all African Swine Fever (ASF) enquiries from farmers, please contact:
Director for Veterinary Services: Dr L.S. Madyibi
Cell: 066 190 9190
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Image 1: On the ground: MEC Madoda Sambatha engages with farmers in Ipelegeng Township, a community affected by the African Swine Fever outbreak.
Image 2: Veterinary Services Director, Dr. Madyibi, emphasizes the necessity of culling and properly burying pigs in the area to prevent the spread of ASF.
For enquiries contact:
Ms. Khutala Tshangela
Media Liaison Officer Cell: 066 458 6915
ktshangela06@gmail.com or KTshangela@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by
The Directorate Communication Services
North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za Tel : 018 384 3117/ 060 745 4020
www.facebook.com/nwpread
X: @nwpg_dard