Veterinary Services is conducting tests in the districts neighbouring the South African provinces of Eastern and Western Cape where an outbreak of classic swine fever/hog cholera has been reported. 

Mafeteng, Mohale's Hoek, Quthing and Qacha's Nek are this week being tested, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security chief information officer, Mr. Gerald Mokone said. The tests are being done within a 10 kilometre radius of the Lesotho and South African border

Affected swine will be slaughtered immediately to prevent more infections, he said.

Swine fever is spread from infected or carrier pigs via discharges from the nose, mouth, urine and faeces or infected semen and is highly contagious. Its symptoms in piglets include vomiting, diarrhoea, high fever and sudden death, while in weaners and growers manifests itself in eating disorders, eye discharge, high mortality and heavy eye discharge.

05 October 2005