Swine fever or hog cholera is a highly contagious viral disease in pig with high mortality in young and adult pigs.
The disease prevails in the entire north eastern states including Sikkim and occurs throughout the year. All age groups are susceptible to swine fever virus.
The disease causes cent percent mortality in young and grower pigs and high morbidity in finisher and farrowing pigs leading to high economic loss to the pig rearer.
Swine fever virus spreads thought direct contact of the susceptible pigs with affected animal. Indirect contact with pig products like pork, blood, animal waste from affected animals also spreads the disease to the healthy ones.
The disease can also spread through wild/migratory pigs, newly procured young ones from market, farmers, vehicle, shoes etc.
The affected pig show high fever (105-1080F), reluctant to move and hurdles together. The pig show inappetance or go off food. Nasal discharge, conjunctivitis and glued eyelids are often noticed. The affected sow show severe depression and general erythema (dull red patches).
The pig also finds difficulty in respiration and coughing. Blotchy discoloration of the skin, cyanosis (bluish) in ear and red patches is seen over forelimbs of grower pigs. Constipation followed by diarrhoea in infected pigs is observed.
The pregnant show will abort and deliver still birth or weak piglets. Animal gradually shows lethargy, weakness of hindquarter and paralysis.
Once such symptoms are noticed the farmers should restrict his pigs to move out and immediately call on the nearest veterinary doctor to confirm the disease.
The affected pig should be separated from the healthy ones and treated with antibiotics and vitamins in consultation with the local veterinarian.
Farm surrounding and floor of the pig sty should be spread regularly with 4% washing soda or 4% phenol. The utensils and equipments used in pig house must be washed with potash solution. Dead pigs should be buried putting sufficient lime or washing soda. Selling of pork and piglets in the markets from a suspected farm is ought to be avoided.
The farmer should not allow frequent movement of vehicle and person through the farm area.A pig farmer can maintain his farm free of swine fever by keeping constant vigil on pigs at every morning and evening.
The pig should not be bought from the market rather he should select healthy piglets from a known pig farm.
The newly purchased piglets should be observed for 3-4 weeks in a isolated location for any disease before mixing with the old stock. It is always suggested to cook the hotel and house waste before feeding to the pigs as it will destroy the swine fever virus.
The farm surrounding should be clean and the farmer should maintain personal hygiene. A foot bath or feet dip with potash should essentially be kept at the entrance to prevent the virus to enter the farm by way of contaminated shoes of the visitors.
Regular vaccination is imperative as per the schedule.
Vaccinations to be given after one month of first vaccine and repeat after each 6 month interval are- Swine fever vaccine (Lapinized or Cell cultured), Vaccinations are available at Vaccine Bank, ICAR Research Complex for NEHR, Nagaland centre, Jharnapani, Dimapur and Veterinary Biological, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Khanapara, Guwahati Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, UP.
Swine fever has potential to cause devastating epidemics. Livestock farmers need to be familiar with the signs of swine fever.
Prompt recognition of the disease will minimize the spread.
Timely vaccination and adopting hygienic measures will nullify the incidence of Swine fever disease outbreak.
Dr. Debojyoti Borkotoky, Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science), KVK,NRC on Mithun (ICAR), Porba, Phek.