African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease that has had a devastating impact on the swine industry around the world. With no treatment or vaccine, it has a mortality rate of nearly 100 percent. In 2018 alone, ASF outbreaks have resulted in the deaths of more than 119,000 pigs.
WHAT DO I STAND TO LOSE WITHOUT ASF INSURANCE?
If one pig becomes infected with ASF, the farm’s entire population must be culled. ASF has the potential to create a significant financial burden for farmers.
HOW IS ASF TRANSMITTED?
ASF can be transmitted quickly and easily through:
- Contact with an infected animal
- Consumption of infected meat
- Biting flies, fleas and ticks
- Infected feed barrels
- Any objects from infected farms (shoes, tires, etc.)
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY HERD IS INFECTED WITH ASF?
Symptoms of ASF include but are not limited to:
- High fever
- Loss of appetite or vomiting
- Respiratory distress
- Hemorrhaging lesions on the skin
- Organ failure
ASF is a deadly disease that will affect your livelihood if your operation is infected without protection. If infection strikes, 100 percent of your pig population could be eliminated. There is no better time to consider ASF insurance and protect your assets against this dangerous virus.
Sources used for this article include:
World Organisation for Animal Health: http://www.oie.int/en/animal-health-in-the-world/animal-diseases/african-swine-fever/
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/02/health/african-swine-fever-europe-china-spread-intl/index.html
