%0 Journal Article
%T Epidemiological Overview of African Swine Fever in Uganda (2001¨C2012)
%A David Kalenzi Atuhaire
%A Sylvester Ochwo
%A Mathias Afayoa
%A Frank Norbert Mwiine
%A Ikwap Kokas
%A Eugene Arinaitwe
%A Rose Anna Ademun-Okurut
%A Julius Boniface Okuni
%A Ann Nanteza
%A Christosom Ayebazibwe
%A Loyce Okedi
%A William Olaho-Mukani
%A Lonzy Ojok
%J Journal of Veterinary Medicine
%D 2013
%R 10.1155/2013/949638
%X African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease, which can cause up to 100% mortality among domestic pigs. In Uganda there is paucity of information on the epidemiology of the disease, hence a study was carried out to elucidate the patterns of ASF outbreaks. Spatial and temporal analyses were performed with data collected monthly by the district veterinary officers (DVOs) and sent to the central administration at MAAIF from 2001 to 2012. Additionally, risk factors and the associated characteristics related to the disease were assessed based on semistructured questionnaires sent to the DVOs. A total of 388 ASF outbreaks were reported in 59 districts. Of these outbreaks, 201 (51.8%) were reported in districts adjacent to the national parks while 80 (20.6%) were adjacent to international borders. The number of reported ASF outbreaks changed over time and by geographical regions; however, no outbreak was reported in the North-Eastern region. ASF was ranked as second most important disease of pigs, and it occurred mostly during the dry season ( ). Pig movements due to trade (OR 15.5, CI 4.9¨C49.1) and restocking (OR 6.6, CI 2.5¨C17.3) were the major risk factors. ASF control strategies should focus on limiting pig movements in Uganda. 1. Introduction African swine fever (ASF) is a highly fatal disease of domestic pigs and can cause mortality of up to 100% of affected pigs [1]. The disease is caused by double-stranded DNA virus with an icosahedral symmetry that belongs to genus Asfivirus and family Asfarviridae [2]. Since its first description in Kenya in the early 1920s [3], the disease has been reported in several countries around the world, remaining endemic in Sardinia, and in 2007 outbreaks was reported in Georgia, Russia, and neighbouring countries [4]. The epidemiology of ASF is complex, transmission is direct and vector-borne, and the disease has well-recognized sylvatic and domestic cycles. In sub-Saharan Africa, ASFV is maintained by long-term, inapparent infection of wildlife hosts such as bush pigs (Potamochoerus porcus) and warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) which are infected via tick bites of the argasid tick vector (Ornithodoros complex) [5]. ASF is highly contagious and is transmitted by direct contact between infected pigs and susceptible ones or by contact with or ingestion of infectious secretions/excretions. The virus is highly resistant in tissues and the environment, contributing to its transmission over long distances through swill feeding and fomites (e.g., contaminated material, vehicles, or visitors to pig premises) [6]. In
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jvm/2013/949638/