African swine fever outbreak in a pig farm located at Ossah Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria – A case report

Abstract

An outbreak of a disease characterized by fever (41-42oC), depression, cyanosis of the skin, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, abortion and coma occurred in a flock of 122 pigs in Ossah Umuahia South local government area of Abia-State, Nigeria. Pigs of all ages and sexes were involved and there was 86% mortality. Considering the syptoms and mortality rate, African swine fever was suspected. Test for sera and tissues (spleen, kidney and lymph nodes) from the pigs were sent to National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, Nigeria, and was later confirmed to be African swine fever (ASF) through ELISA and polymerase chain reaction. A boar introduced into the farm from another farm a week prior to infection was suspected to be the source of infection. Quarantine of new animals before introduction to farms was recommended to prevent introducing infection into healthy farms. Disinfection of the affected pens and resting them for four months before restocking was also recommended.