The Deadly Pig Virus That’s Proving Difficult to Beat
A pig looks out from a cage to be loaded onto a cargo plane en route to China from France.
Photographer: Fred Tanneau/AFP/Getty Images
A deadly swine disease that’s plagued pig farmers for years is re-emerging across Asia, illustrating how difficult African swine fever is to combat despite the culling of millions of animals. Hardest hit has been China -- home to half the world’s hogs -- where pork prices soared after a massive outbreak in 2018 and could remain elevated while work on a commercial vaccine continues.
A highly contagious viral disease which, in its most virulent form, can be 100% lethal. The virus infects pigs, warthogs, European wild boar, American wild pigs, bush pigs, giant forest hogs and peccaries. There is no licensed vaccine or treatment. It is characterized by high fever, loss of appetite and hemorrhaging on the skin and internal organs. Diarrhea, vomiting, coughing and breathing difficulties are other symptoms. Death comes in two to 10 days on average.