Outbreak of "swine flu" in Norther Cameroon - perhaps not really flu, perhaps animal outbreak

[alert]

I don't think this is an H1N1 outbreak in humans, especially with no mention of human illness, but mention of culling pigs. I think this is an epizootic of something (African swine fever?) in pigs.

http://www.africanews.com/site/Swine_flu_outbreak_hits_Northern_Cameroon/list_messages/32588?

Swine flu outbreak hits Northern Cameroon
Posted on Thursday 10 June 2010 - 11:18


Solomon Tembang Mforgham, AfricaNews reporter in
An outbreak of the African swine flu has hit the far North Region of Cameroon. A release issued recently by the Senior Divisional Officer of Diamare Division in the Far North Region, Nassiri Paul Bea, warns of the outbreak.
Although the release states that the disease has been detected specifically in the Diamare Division, measures have been taken to contain it from spreading to neighbouring regions. To this effect the selling and slaughtering of pigs has been banned, movement of pigs in and out of Diamare Divison has also been prohibited.

Meanwhile, all pigs within the infected zone are expected to be killed.

The decision stresses that these preventive measures shall be lifted 40 days after the disappearance of the last case and disinfection of infected premises and objects

[alert]

Re: Outbreak of "swine flu" in Norther Cameroon - perhaps not really flu, perhaps animal outbreak

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=2400:1001:1437444310544650::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1030,83175

French to English translationShow romanization

Number archive 20100610.1956
Date posted 10-JUIN -2010
Subject PRO / FRA> African swine fever - Cameroon: (Far North) ICR

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER - CAMEROON:
(FAR NORTH) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED
************************************************** **************
A ProMED-mail communication
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Tues June 8, 2010
Source: Bloomberg.com [in English, translated Mod.FE, edited]
<http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=a1L72NpoAsyE>


Authorities in Cameroon have begun breeding
to destroy the pigs in the area of Diamare
the region of the Far North after an outbreak of
African swine fever, reported Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV).

The sale and commercial slaughter of pigs
been prohibited in the area while the
staff work to contain the virus,
CRTV said, citing Naseri Paul Bea, the Prefect of Diamare.

ASF is endemic in
Most sub-Saharan African countries and we
may result in cattle dying
within three days, according to the organization
World Animal Health. The virus
transmitted by contact with sick animals
and ticks, the organization says on its website.

[By Pius Lukong]

-
Reported by:
ProMED-FRA
<promed-fra@promedmail.org>


[Swine Fever (ASF) has occurred
for the first time in Cameroon in 1982 killed more
80 percent of the population of pig
was at that time about 1.6 million. Was
a really difficult task of restoring
pork industry since then. A few
Farmers have tried to replenish their
firm but have unfortunately lost their
animals for this devastating infection.
However, farmers who have strictly followed
the Board of Animal Health Veterinary
every 2 Department of Livestock, Fisheries and
animal industries and Department of
scientific research and innovation, have
largely succeeded. The region of the extreme
north is a large area producing pig
has rarely been outbreaks of ASF.
Most events in Cameroon was
produced in the southern part of the country. The
pork market in Cameroon is generally
south of the country so most of
pigs produced in the region of far north to the south are driven to sell.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a disease
and usually highly contagious viral
lethal to animals in the family pig
(Suidae). The ASF virus is robust enough and
was formerly classified as iridovirus
(Iridoviridae) but recently reclassified in the
Family _Asfarviridae_ (swine fever
African and related viruses) in its own
kind _Asfivirus_. It is a great virus
icosahedron of DNA that survive to 15 weeks
in the rotten blood, 70 days in the blood
timber, 11 days residue temperature
room, 3:00 to 50 deg C, 18 months in
pig blood at 4 deg C, 150 days in meat
deboned at 39 deg C, and 140 days in dry hams
salty. Only species of the family
pigs are susceptible to infection with
highly susceptible domestic pigs
(Usually and fatally infected). The
specific hosts include pigs,
warthogs, bush pigs, wild boars
European, American wild pigs, and
Giant forest hogs. Human beings
are not hosts. The infection is persistent
among warthogs and African wild boars,
which are considered the standard tanks.
The transmission of infection may be by
direct contact between healthy and diseased animals
or indirectly by ingestion of garbage
containing infected meat (it means
which the primary broadcast of virus
are from one country to another), biological vectors:
Soft ticks of the genus _Ornithodoros_ and objects
contaminated (locations, vehicles, instruments, clothing).

The PPP is more common in countries
sub-Saharan Africa. In Europe, the disease
has been reported in the Iberian Peninsula (on
Portugal and Spain), Belgium and
Holland as well as several times
France and Italy. Epidemics serious enough
occurred in Brazil (1978-1981) and
Haiti (1978-1984). The disease has been suppressed
South America and the Caribbean without case
identified in these regions since the
1980. In 2001, several cases have been found
Madagascar in the province of Anatananarivo;
the epizootic has also been reported in Congo
DR, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Africa
South, Mozambique, Senegal, Nigeria,
Togo, Malawi, Zambia, Benin and Angola.

The PPP is often confused with fever
fever or classical swine fever. In addition,
there are a host of other diseases that could
be confused with the PPP, therefore the
need for laboratory confirmation whenever
an event occurs is needed.

More information can be accessed at the website
Web Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) below:
<http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/biosecurity/ag-biosec/anim-disease/asf.html>

ProMED-mail would be interested in the diagnosis
confirming this event and also
progress made by the Cameroonian authorities to contain the event.

For a detailed review on classical swine fever
(ASF), including background information
on the classification of ASF virus, see
ProMED-mail report no. 20081204.3812. as proposed by Mod.AS.

Maps showing the regions and departments
Cameroon are available on
<http://www.maplibrary.org/stacks/Africa/Cameroon/index.php?language=french>.
Interactive map of HealthMap / ProMED-mail is available to Cameroon
<http://healthmap.org/r/01v3>. - Mod.FE]