Science and Technology
In News: After Wayanad, African swine fever has been confirmed at a private pig farm in Kannur district, after more than 15 pigs on the farm had died due to the disease in the last ten days.
- African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, whose mortality rate can reach 100%.
- It is not a danger to human health, but it has devastating effects on pig populations and the farming economy.
- There is currently no effective vaccine against ASF.
- The virus is highly resistant in the environment, meaning that it can survive on clothes, boots, wheels, and other materials.
- It can also survive in various pork products, such as ham, sausages or bacon.
- Therefore, human behaviours can play an important role in spreading this pig disease across borders if adequate measures are not taken.
Source: The Hindu
