Classical Swine Fever
Classical Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. In its acute form the disease generally results in high mortality. CSF is a different disease to swine flu. The virus does not affect people and there is no impact on human health.
If notifiable disease is suspected, contact the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. Failure to do so is an offence
Clinical Signs
The clinical signs of Classical Swine Fever may occur in chronic, congenital, mild or acute form. The incubation period is variable but is usually between five and ten days. In the acute form pigs develop a high temperature (40.5 degrees C or 105 degrees F), then become dull and go off their food. Other symptoms can vary but will include some or all of the following:
- constipation followed by diarrhoea
- gummed up eyes
- coughing
- blotchy discolouration of the skin
- abortion, still births and weak litters
- weakness of hindquarters
- nervous signs including convulsions and tremors in new born piglets
The clinical signs of CSF are indistinguishable to those for African Swine Fever and also similar to other pig diseases such as Porcine Dermatitis and Neopathy Syndrome.
There are several different strains of classical swine fever. Pigs infected with mild strains may not become ill or show clinical signs. Severe strains of the disease are generally fatal.
What is the public health risk associated with this disease?
Classical Swine Fever is not a human health threat and is not the same disease as Swine Influenza .
How is the disease transmitted?
Classical Swine Fever can be spread through:
- movement of infected pigs or pigs incubating the disease.
- movement of equipment, vehicles and people who work with pigs between pig farms and ineffective biosecurity.
- pigs eating infected pig meat or meat products.
- infected artificial semen insemination.
Prevention
Good biosecurity is essential to the prevention of introduction of CSF into Northern Ireland.
Biosecurity measures that farmers can take
- maintain strict biosecurity
- only allow essential visitors to enter your farm, and insist that they wear clean or disposable clothing and footwear, and wash their hands (or shower in if possible)
- only allow vehicles and equipment on to the farm if they have been cleaned and disinfected beforehand
- do not allow people who may have been in contact with other pigs on to your farm
- do not allow staff and visitors to bring pork products on to the farm
- do not allow catering waste / scraps to be fed to pigs - dispose of it safely
- only source pigs and semen of known health status
If you keep pigs, you have an important role in preventing further disease outbreaks, it is essential that pig holders maintain effective biosecurity all year round.
The Department has a Pig Text Alert Service for all pig keepers to receive immediate notifications of disease outbreaks or other important disease information.
Do not feed pigs food waste
The feeding of any food waste of animal origin or food waste which has been in contact with products of animal origin, whether raw or cooked, is illegal in the UK. This is because there is a risk of spreading disease.
Food waste includes
- kitchen waste or scraps, such as leftovers from meals
- raw, partially or fully cooked meat
- meat that’s been cured, dried, smoked or frozen
- fish, including shellfish
- dog and cat food
You should dispose of food waste and any packaging in secure bins and you should not take meat or meat products into areas where pigs are kept.
Controlling CSF if suspected or confirmed in NI
If Classical Swine Fever is suspected or confirmed it will be controlled in line with the Classical Swine Fever Control Strategy for NI.
Classical Swine Fever Control Strategy | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Anyone suspecting Classical Swine Fever must immediately inform their local Divisional Veterinary Office.