The preliquisite for high economic returns is raising a healthy pig herd. Unfortunately, today’s pig farmer does it as a by the way; keeps the pig under very unhygienic environment, a fertile ground for diseases . Economic losses due to diseases arise as mortality and reduced growth rate.

1. PIG HEALTH= PIG WEALTH
A presentation made at a pig farmers’ training organized by Pig
Production and Marketing on 15.02.2014, Kampala
JOSEPH M KUNGU
National Livestock Resources Research Institute, P.O.Box 96 Tororo Uganda
kungu@live.com

2. Introduction
The pig;
• one of the most efficient feed converting
livestock.
• the only litter bearing animal among meat
producing livestock with the shortest generation
interval and high feed conversion efficiency.

3. Then why the poor economic returns?
• The preliquisite for high economic returns is
raising a healthy pig herd.
• Unfortunately, today’s pig farmer does it as a by
the way; keeps the pig under very unhygienic
environment, a fertile ground for diseases .
• Economic losses due to diseases arise as
mortality and reduced growth rate.

4. Common diseases of pigs in Uganda
Recent studies (Dione et al,2014) indicate that;
• African Swine Fever (47.5).
• Worms (8.3); Large intestinal roundworms,
nodular worms, whipworms, red stomachworms.
• Diarrhoea(4.2),due to indigestion, GIT parasites,
worms, sign of systemic infection.
• Malnutrition (3.2),
• Ectoparasites;Mange (2.8), Lice (0.3),
• FMD (0.1).

5. How do I know my pig is sick?
• Not active
• Off food and water.
• Restless
• Recumbent all time
• Isolates itself from the herd

6. How can I keep a disease free pig
herd?
• Clean disinfected surroundings.
• Clean water and feed troughs.
• Clean water and feed.
• Prevent dampness, exposure to extreme cold or
heat.
• Avoid overcrowding.
• Isolate and treat of ailing animals.Regular
deworming of pigs.Always consult your Vet on
this.

7. Basic aid kit on farm
• Thermometer
• Drenching gun
• Pig snare
• Pack of disposable syringes and needles

8. Drug administration
• Oral administration for boluses,
suspensions/syrups
• Injection, in the muscles, under the skin

9. African Swine Fever= African swine
menace
• Todays most devastating pig disease causing
upto 100% death during an outbreak and
occurs countrywide.
• A highly contagious hemorrhagic disease of
pigs, warthogs,wild pigs. All age groups are
equally susceptible.

10. How does a pig with ASF appear?
• With high virulence forms of the virus, ASF is
characterized by high fever, loss of appetite,
haemorrhages in the skin and internal organs,
and death in 2-10 days on average.
• Caused by ASF is a DNA virus of the
Asfarviridae family.
• ASF is a notifiable disease.In case of suspected
outbreak report to authorities immediately.

11. How is it transmitted?
• The warthog can serve as a natural reservoir of
the virus without sign of disease. Spread from
this reservoir is via the soft tick Ornithodoros
moubata.
• The tick will ingest the virus when taking a blood
meal and then pass it on to pigs.
• The virus occurs in all body fl uids and tissues
• of infected domestic pigs.

12. How ASF spreads
Pigs usually become infected by;
• Direct contact with infected pigs or ingestion of
garbage containing unprocessed infected pig
meat or pig meat products. All processing
procedures do not inactivate the ASF virus.
• Biting flies and ticks, contaminated premises,
vehicles, equipment or clothing can also spread
the virus to susceptible animals.

13. What are the signs of ASF?
Severe cases of the disease are characterized by;
• high fever and death in 2-10 days.
• mortality rate as high as 100%.
• Other clinical signs include loss of appetite, depression,
• redness of the skin of the ears, abdomen, and legs,
• respiratory distress, vomiting, bleeding from the
• nose or rectum and sometimes diarrhoea.
• Abortion may be the first event seen in an outbreak.

14. Signs of ASF
Moderately virulent forms of the virus produce
less intense symptoms with mortality from 30-
70%.
Chronic disease symptoms include;
• Loss of weight, intermittent fever, respiratory
signs, chronic skin ulcers and arthritis.

15. ASF in pictures

16. How do I confirm that it is ASF?
• Combine clinical signs and Laboratory
diagnositic tools i.e PCR, ELISA.

17. Signs in pictures

18. Signs in pictures

19. How to prevent/control ASF
• There is no published treatment or vaccine for
ASF.
• Biosecurity measures are the key strategies for
keeping ASF off your farm.

20. How to prevent/control ASF
• In endemic areas, it is difficult to eliminate the natural
reservoir in warthogs; however, control of the soft tick
vectors is important in preventing the disease.
• Meat from warthogs or infected animals not to be fed
to susceptible pigs.
• All successful eradication programs have involved
• the rapid diagnosis, slaughter and disposal of all
• animals on infected premises, thorough cleaning and
• disinfection, disinsectisation, movement controls
• and surveillance.

21. Conclusion
• Every pig has a right be healthy (Proverbs
12.10).
• Farmers should aim at preventing diseases
and parasites rather than treating after they
occur. “Prevention is better than cure" .

22. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
GOD BLESS YOU IN JESUS NAME (Deut 8:16-18).