Prevalence and related risk factors of porcine cysticercosis and African swine fever in selected urban/peri-urban areas of Morogoro, Tanzania

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.