African swine fever

Australia remains free of ASF

In 2018, an outbreak of ASF was reported in the People's Republic of China. Since then, it has also been detected in other countries including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste, bringing the disease the closest it has been to Australia. The disease remains present in South East Asia.

It is critical that all livestock owners know the signs of ASF, and check their animals regularly.

If you suspect ASF in any animal in SA, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. It is often fatal for infected pigs. There is no vaccination or cure for the disease.

ASF does not affect humans.

There is a risk of ASF being introduced to Australia in imported pig products. The disease can survive freezing and processing of pork.

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Global detections of ASF

Australia is free of ASF.

The disease has spread into South East Asia including China, Vietnam and South Korea, and mostly recently Indonesia (including Bali), Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. The disease is also present in parts of Africa and Europe.

For more information visit the Animal Health Australia website.

How ASF spreads

African swine fever spreads through:

  • contact with infected pigs
  • contaminated vehicles, equipment and clothing
  • contaminated pork products being fed to pigs.

How you can reduce disease spread

There are several measures you can take to reduce the spread:

Symptoms of ASF in pigs

Key signs of African swine fever include:

  • death (possibly before other signs are noticeable)
  • blotching/reddening of the skin
  • high fever
  • lack of coordination or stiff gait
  • difficulty breathing
  • dysentery or diarrhoea
  • vomiting.

Humans cannot catch ASF.

Register your pigs

All properties with pigs (including pet pigs) require:

If you move pigs, you must use the national tracking system, PigPass.

We use identification to manage and trace pigs in the event of a disease outbreak.

Hunting feral pigs

If you are a hunter or shooter, you can help reduce the risk posed by African swine fever by:

  • reporting feral pigs to your local Natural Resources Management Board
  • humanely destroying feral pigs on your land. Feral pigs are serious pests and declared for destruction by landholders, under the Natural Resources Management Act
  • ensuring all vehicles, clothing and equipment are washed and disinfected after hunting trips
  • not leaving food scraps containing meat in the bush after hunting or camping trips
  • not keeping, selling, releasing or moving feral pigs
  • reporting sick or dead feral pigs to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline.

More information

Emergency Animal Disease Hotline

Suspected disease or pests in livestock, poultry or aquatic animals must be reported immediately.

Call us to help stop the spread of animal illness, even if you are unsure of the disease.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Freecall 1800 675 888
Page last reviewed: 22 Mar 2023

 


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