Drivers, risk Factors and dynamics of African Swine Fever outbreaks, southern highlands, Tanzania
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Date
2020-02-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Abstract
African swine fever remains an important pig disease globally in view of its rapid spread,
economic impacts and food implications, with no option of vaccination or treatment. The Southern
Highlands zone of Tanzania, an important pig-producing hub in East Africa, is endemic with African
swine fever (ASF). From approximately the year 2010, the recurrence of outbreaks has been observed
and it has now become a predictable pattern. We conducted exploratory participatory epidemiology
and participatory disease surveillance in the Southern Highlands to understand the pig sector and the
drivers and facilitators of infections, risk factors and dynamics of ASF in this important pig-producing
area. Pigs continue to play a major role in rural livelihoods in the Southern Highlands and pork is
a major animal protein source. Outbreaks of diseases, particularly ASF, have continued to militate
against the scaling up of pig operations in the Southern Highlands. Intra- and inter-district and
trans-border transnational outbreaks of ASF, the most common disease in the Southern Highlands,
continue to occur. Trade and marketing systems, management systems, and lack of biosecurity, as well
as anthropogenic (human) issues, animals and fomites, were identified as risk factors and facilitators
of ASF infection. Changes in human behavior and communication in trade and marketing systems in
the value chain, biosecurity and pig management practices are warranted. Relevant training must be
implemented alongside the launch of the national ASF control strategy for Tanzania, which already
established a roadmap for combating ASF in Tanzania. The high-risk points (slaughter slabs, border
areas, and farms with poor biosecurity) and high-risk period (November–March) along the pig value
chain must be targeted as critical control points for interventions in order to reduce the burden
of infection.
Description
Keywords
participatory epidemiology, participatory disease surveillance, African swine fever, risk factors, disease drivers, disease dynamics, livelihood, rural economy, Tanzania