African swine fever: a danger to humans. Description of the disease, symptoms and treatment

Even in ancient times entire countries disappeared from the epidemics. And in the modern world there are such viral infections from which vaccines that prevent their outbreak have not been invented. There are many such diseases that pose a great danger to animals. Below we will consider one of them: African swine fever. Danger to humans From it is small, but to be able to prevent its spread is extremely important.

African plague - what is it?

There was this disease in the beginning of the 20th century. It was first recorded in South Africa at the very beginning of the 20th century. It has several names: African fever, East African plague. African swine fever is a danger to humans Does not represent, but rather quickly changes its form of flow. A characteristic feature of the virus is that it behaves unpredictably.

This is a viral disease that occurs with a very high temperature, a change in the color of the skin, large foci of internal hemorrhages. According to the International Classification of Dangerous Animal Diseases, which are contagious, it belongs to list A.

What is the danger of the disease for people?

If you ask yourself whether African swine fever is dangerous to humans, then you can answer in two ways. In terms of physical health, we can say that a person is not dangerous. To be precise, there are no recorded cases of human disease. But on the other hand, the harm from this disease and risks still exists, given that the course and forms of this disease are not fully understood. Let's consider some of them.

1. The African swine fever virus does not pose a threat to humans, however any virus weakens the immune system. There have already been cases of detection of antibodies against plague in the human body, which means that it is possible that a person can tolerate this disease asymptomatically.
2. Given that the virus develops unpredictably and is the only one in the family of asfaviruses, it is possible to increase its varieties. There is a risk that he will master and man.
3. There are data from which it is known that the virus was detected in people who had fallen ill with tropical fever. It can also provoke the development of other dangerous diseases.

It can be said that the African swine fever does not pose a threat to humans, but contact with infected animals should be avoided, since the virus constantly mutates, and it is impossible to predict its further behavior.

What is the etiology of this disease?

This virus of the family Asfarviridae is very persistent and can maintain its viability from a few weeks to months. It is found in meat products that have not undergone heat treatment. In diseased pigs, it is found in all liquids within the body. There are several genotypes of viruses.

Who is at risk?

Whether African swine fever is dangerous for humans, we have already found out. However, a person can be a mechanical vector of the virus. Also domestic and wild animals, skin parasites, rodents can become carriers. Of course, sick pigs pose a threat to the healthy only if they were in contact with them.

African plague is not only a disease of domestic pigs, but also wild ones. The disease can burst because of a virus carrier or a sick animal. The disease can also spread through fodder, pastures and rooms in which patients or carriers of the virus were. Dangerous are not neutralized wastes.

Symptoms of the disease

Although it does not represent African swine fever a danger to humans, the symptoms Diseases in animals need to know. It should be noted that the disease can occur in several forms:

• Impetuous;
• Acute;
• Subacute;
• Chronic.

With lightning fastness, the animal dies in the first day of the disease. At the same time there is strong weakness, heavy breathing and high body temperature up to 42 degrees.

In acute forms, as well as subacute and very rarely chronic, the following symptoms are observed:

• The temperature rises to 40.5-42 degrees;
• Vomiting;
• Difficulty breathing ;
• Paralysis of hind limbs occurs;
• Stool with blood or constipation;
• weakness;
• Increased thirst;
• The brown-purple spots appear in the neck region.

The difference is only in the duration of the course, so the acute form lasts up to 7 days, subacute up to 20 days.

Typically, the risk of mortality from 50% to 100%. If the animal recovers, it is the carrier of this dangerous virus.

Diagnosis of the disease

Classical swine fever is very similar to the African form of the disease, therefore it is necessary to be very careful when diagnosing the disease. The farmer should regularly inspect the animals and in case of finding the symptoms mentioned above, it is necessary to urgently appeal to the veterinary service. First of all, it is urgent to isolate those animals that have suspicious symptoms.

If the diagnosis of African swine fever is established, there is no danger to the person in this process. The veterinarian conducts an examination, fixes the changes, takes a number of samples for research. Be sure to find the source of infection. The antibody test identifies the disease.

Treatment of the African plague

Given the large infectiousness of the virus, the treatment of infected animals is prohibited. In addition, scientists are looking for a vaccine against the virus, but so far unsuccessfully, and he does not respond to treatment. All because he constantly changes his form. For example, before the mortality rate of animals was 100%, and at present the disease is asymptomatic, often chronic.

However, there are measures that must be taken when a diseased animal is found.

The task is to prevent the virus from spreading, so if the plague is fixed, all the livestock in the epicenter must be destroyed by a bloodless method. The ash is mixed with lime and buried.

It is also necessary to destroy the items used in the care of livestock, feed. The adjacent areas and pig farms are treated with a hot 3% alkali solution and 2% formaldehyde solution.

Within a radius of 10 kilometers from the outbreak, pigs are processed into canned food. Quarantine is declared for six months. The premises can not be used for a year after quarantine.

Analyzing all this, it can be said that African swine fever is a danger to humans in the economic sphere. Large losses of livestock are reflected in the form of monetary losses and costs for fighting the virus.

Prophylaxis of the plague

That this serious disease of pigs does not endanger the livestock, it is necessary to follow the following recommendations:

1. Promptly vaccinate pigs from classical plague and erysipelas.
2. Do not allow free grazing animals, keep it on the fenced area.
3. Carry out a sanation of the premises, where animals are kept, several times a month.
4. Fight rodents, as they are carriers of the virus.
5. If you feed pigs with animal waste, you must treat them at a temperature of at least 70 degrees, then add to the feed.
6. Do not purchase pigs not tested by the State Veterinary Service.
7. With any disease or suspicion of a virus, urgently apply to the veterinary service.

Summing up the topic "African swine fever: is it dangerous for a person?", We can say that there is still no serious threat, but it is necessary to be alert, protect your health and take good care of the animals you keep.