A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CONTROL OF

PIG DISEASES

Pig farm clinics training in Matuga Kampala

Uganda, 30.05.2015 JOSEPH M KUNGU

National Livestock Resources Research Institute P.O.Box 96 Tororo.

Email: kungu@live.com

Pig diseases in Uganda

• Pigs are affected by a variety of conditions which

directly kill or reduce their productivity.

• A number of these infections are resident in

Uganda. However, not much studies done.

• Common conditions ; African Swine Fever ,

Worms , Diarrhoea, Malnutrition, Ecto-parasites,

FMD, others of undefined causes (e.g

mycotoxicosis, Mastitis metritis agalactia, swine

erysipelous, piglet scours,anemia, navel ill,

poisoning) .

Prevalence of the conditions

What should the farmer do?

• Aim at developing control strategies without requiring to

know specific diseases/conditions in place.

• Aim at preventing diseases and parasites rather than

treating after they occur. “Prevention is better than cure" .

• Starting with a disease free herd and guarding it from access

of infections, spread from within.

Expected benefits

• High production unhindered by diseases.

• Pork produced safe from zoonotic infections (Brucellosis, pig

tapeworm disease).

• Pork produced safe from notifiable/transboundary infections

(ASF, FMD, Vesicular stomatitis, Swine eryspelous).

• Pigs/products access to international markets.

How can this be achieved?

• A holistic strategy packaged with biosecurity

measures targeting to prevent diseases from

within and without the farm.

Strategies to prevent occurrence and spread

within the herd

• Pigs housed, partitioned with pens having enough

space requirements.

• Separate pens/ age group.

• Floor hygiene ensured (cleanable floor or turning

bedding to minimize pathogens).

Cont’d

• Hygiene of feed and water troughs.

• Protective clothing while working(overall and boots).

• Avoid inbreeding (reduces litter size, growth, abnormalities)

• Educate self to identify sick pigs and consult vets for

complicated conditions.

• Monitor and inspect pigs for signs of sickness.

Cont’d

• Identify and isolate sick suspects.

• Separate equipment, clothing used for sick and health

pigs.

• On advice of the vet (confirmation); kill, destroy and

dispose sick pigs that will not recover to prevent

contagious disease spread within and outside farm.

Strategies to prevent disease entry

• Proper housing to confine pigs all the time, having

one entrance restricting access by intruders

(animals, birds, people).

• Perimeter fence off farm area to minimize access

by intruders (roaming animals).

Cont’d

• Foot bath with disinfectant e.g vircon, water and

soap to wash hands.

• Use on farm protective clothing.

Cont’d

• Monitor feed sources; avoid swill, ensure crop

residues are safe. Credibility of commercial feeds and

their storage.

• Avoid sharing boar (bringing in or lending out).

• Keep record of visitors, vehicles to farm.

• Post signs e.g “Enter only when authorized”

Cont’d

• Practice all in all out policy to minimize introduction of

disease.

• Limit frequency of introducing new pigs.

• When stocking; obtain herd health history of farm pigs,

check treatment records. Seek help of a vet specialist.

• Quarantine new or returning pigs in separate unit, use

separate equipment, laborer or work there last.

Cont’d

• Have your own basic medical kit.

• Properly store drugs.

• consult vets on drug use to avoid wrong

administration injuring the pig and drug residues,

under dosing leading to drug resistence.

Conclusion

• What have I learnt today?

• What does it mean to me as a pig farmer?

• How can I apply it to change my present

pig farm situation?

Thank you for listening

God bless you in Jesus name

(Prov 27.23, Deut 12.17 3John 2)