African Swine Fever(ASF) and China

News:China is witnessing rise in pork prices because of the rampant spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). 

Facts:

About African Swine Fever(ASF):

• African swine fever(ASF) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs which is responsible for serious economic and production losses.
• It is caused by a large DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family which also infects ticks of the genus Ornithodoros.
• The signs of ASF and classical swine fever(CSF) may be similar but the ASF virus is unrelated to the CSF virus.
• ASF is transmitted through (a)direct contact by live or dead pigs and pork products and (b)indirect contact through contaminated feed or on contaminated clothing vehicles or as other fomites.
• There is no approved vaccine against African Swine fever.ASF is also listed as a disease listed in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

How ASF is affecting China?

• China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of Pork.The Pork contributes 1% of China’s GDP
• However,the sharp rise in prices of pork due to African swine fever(ASF) has affected China’s growth.
• This has also affected other countries as China is no longer importing as much soybean and corn which are used as pig feed.

Additional information:

About OIE:

• The World Organisation for Animal Health(OIE) is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
• It was created by the International Agreement of 25 January 1924 signed by 28 countries.In 2018,the OIE consists of 182  Member Countries and Territories.
• The OIE’s financial resources are derived principally from regular annual contributions backed up by voluntary contributions from Member Countries.
• It is also recognised as a reference organisation by the World Trade Organization(WTO).