Paris (AFP)

It has just reappeared on the American continent after almost 40 years of absence and has recently infected domestic pigs in eastern Germany: African swine fever regularly affects new countries, causing massive slaughter and considerable economic loss. .

At the end of July, cases were identified in the Dominican Republic, the first "in nearly 40 years", according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) which calls for "urgent actions" to stop the progression of this viral disease .

Safe for humans

Historically present in sub-Saharan Africa, the disease, known as African swine fever (AFF) or African swine fever (ASF), is to this day safe for people.

Very contagious, it only affects pig populations - pigs, wild boars, warthogs.

High fever, loss of appetite, skin hemorrhages ... are among the symptoms.

The mortality rate can go up to 100%, recalls the OIE.

No vaccine or treatment has yet been proven.

The virus is present in all body fluids and is very resistant.

It is spread from animal to animal, through direct contact between pigs, or through movement of vehicles, people from infected areas as well as through food - for example if domestic pigs are fed with contaminated waste.

In expansion

"Due to its complex epidemiology, the disease has spread recently, affecting more than 50 countries in Africa, Europe and Asia since 2018," recalls the OIE.

Pigtail photographed in a pigsty in Dortmund, February 3, 2020 INA FASSBENDER AFP / Archives

Among them, China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Russia, Italy (Sardinia), but also more recently Germany, the leading pork producer in Europe.

Second and third largest European producers, Spain and France remain unscathed so far.

These countries have struggled with the disease in the past, however, following cases that appeared in the Iberian Peninsula from 1957.

In 2018-2019, African swine fever decimated the Chinese herd, disrupting the supply of this market, the first in the world for consumption but also the production of pork.

Since then, the country has almost reconstituted its herd, at high speed and at a price of gold.

Deleterious for producers

The virus can have serious repercussions for breeders.

Pig nose, on an organic farm in Dortmund, February 3, 2020 INA FASSBENDER AFP / Archives

At the contaminated farm level, all animals are slaughtered.

At the national level, the country is losing its free status, which implies a limitation or even a ban on exports not only of live pigs but also of products made from pork.

A country like Germany is very dependent on foreign markets.

The loss of this market generates surpluses and therefore lowers prices.

States generally negotiate "regionalization" agreements, so that their unaffected regions can continue to export.

Means of prevention

In free countries, imports should be monitored to ensure no introduction of infected pigs or products thereof.

Prevention also involves the correct disposal of food waste collected on planes, boats or vehicles from infected countries, underlines the OIE.

Without forgetting the "biosecurity" measures (fences, security locks, etc.) which must protect the farms, both from contact with wild boars but also from the introduction of the virus via the movement of people and vehicles.

In France, the agricultural union Confédération paysanne considers these measures "inconceivable in practical and investment terms" for producers who raise their animals in the open air.

© 2021 AFP