ANGOLA – The government of Huíla province in Angola is declaring the end of the African swine fever epidemic and lifting the health restrictions imposed in Humpata municipality, Huila province.
This announcement comes after three months of stringent measures aimed at controlling the disease.
Provincial director of Agriculture, Pedro Conde, is confirming that recent laboratory tests in Humpata show the absence of the virus, leading to the decision to lift the health fence.
The restrictions had included a ban on the sale and movement of pigs and their products within the municipality.
“There is no danger in consuming pork and its derivatives. The laboratory results confirm that the plague is eradicated, and there are no risks,” says Conde.
In February, Humpata had reported cases of African swine fever, detected on two properties.
This was the first occurrence of the disease in five years in the area, known for its pig farming.
The initial outbreak in April and May 2019 had killed over 1,200 pigs, many of which belonged to entrepreneurs supported by bank financing.
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, caused by a double-stranded DNA virus from the Asfarviridae family.
While the disease is devastating to pig populations, it does not affect humans.
Tests conducted in February in neighboring Namibia had confirmed the presence of the ASF virus in Angolan domestic pigs.
The Angolan veterinary authority, in its official notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), reported that the farm in Huila province had approximately 7,400 pigs at that time.
To prevent the spread of infection, over 1,000 pigs were slaughtered, with the remaining animals culled and their carcasses destroyed.
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