Context: Assam is gearing up to tackle African Swine Fever. Around 2,800 pigs have died in Assam since February due to the virus making the state the epicenter of ASF in India.

Background:

ASF has been seen in other Asian countries as well. Most recently, the Philippines had to cull more than 7,000 pigs to arrest the spread of ASF.

About African Swine Fever (ASF):

• ASF is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease that infects domestic and wild pigs, typically resulting in an acute form of hemorrhagic fever.
• It was first detected in Africa in the 1920s.
• The mortality is close to 100 percent, and since the fever has no cure, the only way to stop it spreading is by culling the animals.
• ASF is not a threat to human beings since it only spreads from animals to other animals.
• According to the FAO, “its extremely high potential for transboundary spread has placed all the countries in the region in danger and has raised the spectre of ASF once more escaping from Africa. It is a disease of growing strategic importance for global food security and household income”.