Overview of the perceived risk of transboundary pig diseases in South Africa

Mokoele, Japhta M.; van Rensburg, Leana Janse; van Lochem, Shanie; Bodenstein, Heinz; du Plessis, Jacolette; Carrington, Chris A.P.; Spencer, B. Tom; Fasina, Folorunso O.

Infected but undetected pigs were perceived to represent the greatest animal-associated risk to the South African pig Note: Red and yellow boxes represent significant risk. industry. The general opinion was that the perceived risk of transboundary and infectious pig diseases may originate from the farms, markets and abattoirs, or from import sources. In each case, the disease can either be detected and eliminated or pass unnoticed, in which case a further extension of the risk is probable. The undetected cases may then be reintroduced to other farms, sold at auctions, spread locally through home slaughter or be slaughtered at the local abattoir. An infectious animal or disease may possibly be sent to an export abattoir (an unlikely event due to the stringent conditions that need to be satisfied to meet the requirements of an export abattoir, as well as the low volume of pork destined for export). Detection at this level may stop further spread of the disease; however, in the case of non-detection, the industry may suffer widespread outbreaks following this event (see Figure 1 ).