Abstract:
This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence and related risk factors of porcine
cysticercosis (caused by Taenia solium) and African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs,
and assesses the state of pork inspection in urban/peri-urban areas of Morogoro region,
Tanzania, between November 2010 and January 2011. A two stage random sampling was
employed. A total of 260 live pigs were tested serologically. Serum samples were tested
for the presence of circulating parasite antigen using a monoclonal antibody-based
sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) and indirect ELISA (Ab-
ELISA) for porcine cysticercosis and ASF, respectively. In addition, a questionnaire
survey to collect information on pig production, occurrence and awareness of porcine
cysticercosis and African swine fever, risk factors for both diseases was conducted in the
selected households from which pigs were sampled. A total of 18 pork traders were also
interviewed to collect information on the status of pork inspection. Four pigs (1.54%:
95%CI=0.04–3.1) were found positive by the Ag-ELISA with no statistical significant
differences by age group (P=0.57), while ASF antibody titre detection revealed no
specific ASF antibody response in all 260 pigs. This study recommends further extensive
surveillance aiming at monitoring porcine cysticercosis dynamics in urban/peri-urban pig
farming so that more baseline information can be available not only for research purposes
but even for design and implementation of long term control strategies. It is
recommended that surveillance and control of ASF outbreak in future should focus on
the active monitoring, early detection and effective quarantine measures at the point of
ASF occurrence.
