Herd health refers to the overall well-being, disease resistance, and productivity of a group of pigs within a farm or production facility. For pig farmers, herd health is a critical aspect of managing their operations effectively and ensuring the profitability and sustainability of their businesses.
A pig farming operation will never be productive or profitable if the herd is sick. As a herd consists of individual animals, it is essential that farmers monitor the health of all of their animals, and act timeously to prevent an outbreak of disease within the herd.
There are a number of common pig diseases in South Africa, some of which are treatable, while others are not. That is why, in most cases, prevention is better than cure, and the article will thus explore the measures that farmers must take to prevent infection.
AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
Not to be confused with African swine flu, African swine fever (ASF) is a notorious disease of pigs in South Africa that most pig farmers will be aware of. It is highly contagious and infects wild and domesticated pigs. ASF has a high mortality rate, and as it is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not cure the disease.
The World Organisation for Animal Health says that ASF spreads easily amongst a herd through the direct contact of infected animals with healthy animals. Healthy animals could also become infected through contact with contaminated objects, such as feed troughs and other equipment.
The virus can also spread through tick vectors or contaminated pork products. Infected wild boars or feral pigs can contribute to the spread of ASF over long distances.
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