Contribution of market value chain to the control of African swine fever in Zambia

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) is a worldwide disease of pigs endemic in most sub-Saharan African countries. Zambia has been experiencing outbreaks of ASF for many years because the disease is endemic in the eastern part of the country, with incursion into the central part of Lusaka Province. The latest outbreaks of ASF in Lusaka occurred in 2013 with substantial pig mortalities, loss in trade, and cost of control measures and compensation of affected farmers. The aims of the study were to identify market value chain-related factors that were associated with ASF outbreaks and assess why these outbreaks are becoming frequent despite control measures being put in place. Using a mixed-method design, participants involved in the value chain were purposively sampled. Some pig farmers were included using a respondent-driven technique. Farmers came from Lusaka, Chilanga, Kafue, and Chongwe districts. Other participants included district veterinary officers, veterinary assistants, police officers, and veterinary staff manning veterinary checkpoints, abattoir and processing plant managers, meat inspectors, market chairpersons, and traders. Semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and direct observations were used to collect data to come up with narrations, tables, and flow charts. In assessing the contribution of the value chain in ASF, aspects of ASF screening, market availability and procedures, knowledge on ASF transmission, occurrence of ASF outbreak, and regulation of pig movement were investigated. Despite government ASF control measures being applied, the following were noted: (1) low awareness levels of ASF transmission among pig farmers and traders; (2) only 50% of farmers had their animals screened for ASF before sale; (3) all the markets did not have the pork inspected; (4) laxity in enforcing livestock movement control because of inadequate police and veterinary staff manning checkpoints; (5) lack of enforcement of meat inspection and food safety regulations at pig markets; and (6) inadequate and bureaucratic ASF screening. Improving biosecurity; sensitizing farmers, traders, and all stakeholders in the pig value chain on ASF prevention and control; reinforcement of staff at checkpoints; and regulation of pig markets are some of the ways in which future outbreaks can be prevented.

Effects of ‘The Vicious Worm’ educational software on Taenia solium knowledge among key pork supply chain workers in Zambia

“…The first study site was Lusaka district (Lusaka province), where pig slaughter and meat cutting often took place at an unofficial slaughter slab, before the pork was sold at the establishment or taken to markets in surrounding high density areas within the city. Most of these animals were village pigs from resource-poor farmers, largely originating from rural areas of the Southern Province of Zambia [ 11 , 40 , 41 ]. A previous study in 868 village pigs slaughtered at this slaughter slab, found a PCC prevalence of 64% [ 11 ].…”

Perceptions and practices among Zambian sheep and goat traders concerning small ruminant health and disease

“…Many interviewees reasoned that the Zambian stock movement permit system absolves them from responsibility for preventing disease dissemination, since the animals have been certified as healthy by a veterinarian and are subsequently checked at veterinary checkpoints enroute to the markets. However, this study indicates that the stock movement permit system is not adequately implemented to detect disease, and previous research has demonstrated that the veterinary checkpoints are often undermanned and commonly bypassed [38]. It appears as though the transfer permit system has primarily made value chain members focus on obtaining the correct paperwork, with limited reflection on why this is important, rather than actively taking steps to prevent the dissemination of disease.…”

“…Furthermore, a certificate from the district council is required, as well as a veterinary clearance to certify that the animals are healthy [44,45]. The permit, and ideally also the health of the transported animals, is then controlled at police and veterinary checkpoints along the larger roads [38]. Upon arriving at the Lusaka market, the rural traders generally sell their animals to urban traders, who then sell to market customers.…”

“…A group of studies stand out for adopting a qualitative approach to the study of traders' perceptions and practices with regard to ASF [35][36][37][38]. These studies indicate that traders generally are knowledgeable about major clinical signs and transmission routes [35,36] and are often aware of their potential role in disseminating ASF.…”

African Swine Fever: Penyakit Emerging yang Mengancam Peternakan Babi di Dunia

“…Jalur penularan ASF lainnya adalah melalui rantai penjualan babi di pasar seperti rendahnya tingkat kesadaran dan pengetahuan akan penyakit ASF seperti gejala klinis, cara transmisi ASF diantara peternak babi dan pedagang; sebagian besar peternak kecil sering menjual babi yang sakit atau langsung memotong babi tanpa pemeriksaan kesehatan babi terlebih dahulu, sulitnya pengawasan lalu lintas ternak babi antar lokasi atau daerah (Siamupa et al 2017). Olesen et al (2017) dalam penelitiannya membuktikan bahwa kontak langsung dengan babi sakit dan aerosol merupakan jalur penularan ASF paling efektif.…”