Deadly in pigs but harmless to humans, why is African swine fever such a threat to China’s economy?
- With the first case of the disease confirmed in Hong Kong, we look at how the latest outbreak has spread since it first resurfaced last August
Hong Kong has now joined mainland China in responding to the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), a deadly disease that threatens the pig population but is not harmful to humans. On Friday, the city’s first case was confirmed, despite the government taking precautionary measures, prompting it to order a cull of 6,000 pigs to prevent the spread of the plague-like virus.
What is swine fever?
ASF can be traced to Kenya, where it was found in domestic swine in 1921. According to a leading expert on the disease, Professor Dirk Pfeiffer of Hong Kong’s City University, it can be transmitted by warthogs and specific soft tick species, which in turn spreads to domestic pigs.
The virus had largely been kept under control until 2007 when it was detected in Georgia, and has remained present in domestic pigs and wild boars since then.
When did the latest outbreak start?