The government has heightened surveillance and response measures in six Kenyan counties following an outbreak of African Swine Fever, a highly contagious disease infecting pigs.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement on Saturday, September 13, the government listed Kiambu, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Kakamega, Homa Bay, Busia and Migori among the most affected counties.

"We are heightening our response to an outbreak of African Swine Fever that has affected Kiambu, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Kakamega and the border counties of Busia, Homa Bay and Migori," the government said.

The latest development has raised concern among farmers in the aforementioned counties because the flu spreads rapidly through livestock and can kill all infected pigs in severe cases.

📌 What You Need to Know

Despite sometimes being referred to as 'swine flu,' African Swine Fever is not a normal flu and cannot be compared to the seasonal flu that affects human beings.

The latest warning comes days after a pig farmer in Ruai, Nairobi County, lost his entire herd of 156 pigs following a devastating outbreak of the disease, suffering about Ksh2 million loss.

The farmer, from the Kona Mbaya area of Ruai, started his agribusiness three years ago with an initial investment of Ksh150,000 and five breeding pigs before he built a larger herd

The outbreak began on the evening of June 24 when the farmer received a call from his farm worker informing him that one pig had died.

By the time he arrived about 90 minutes later, the d isease had begun spreading rapidly through the structures , eventually killing all 156 pigs over the following days.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), infected pigs develop fever, loss of appetite, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and redness of the skin, particularly around the ears, abdomen and legs.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke