Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease of domestic pigs that presents as a hemorrhagic fever, and for which no effective vaccine is available. The disease has a serious negative social and economic impact on pig keepers. There is limited information on the potential risk...

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Main Authors: Bisimwa, P.N., Dione, Michel M., Basengere, B., Mushagalusa, C.A., Steinaa, Lucilla, Ongus, J.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: XMLink 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113898
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author Bisimwa, P.N.
Dione, Michel M.
Basengere, B.
Mushagalusa, C.A.
Steinaa, Lucilla
Ongus, J.
author_browse Basengere, B.
Bisimwa, P.N.
Dione, Michel M.
Mushagalusa, C.A.
Ongus, J.
Steinaa, Lucilla
author_facet Bisimwa, P.N.
Dione, Michel M.
Basengere, B.
Mushagalusa, C.A.
Steinaa, Lucilla
Ongus, J.
author_sort Bisimwa, P.N.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Background African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease of domestic pigs that presents as a hemorrhagic fever, and for which no effective vaccine is available. The disease has a serious negative social and economic impact on pig keepers. There is limited information on the potential risk factors responsible for the spread of ASF in South Kivu. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk factors associated with ASF infection in suspected ASF virus (ASFV)-infected pigs. Methods We sampled whole blood from 391 pigs. Additionally, 300 pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Viral DNA was detected by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Results The majority of pigs sampled, 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.4–82.6), were of local breeds. Over half, 60.4% (95% CI, 55.5–65.2), were female, and most of them, 90.5% (95% CI, 87.6–93.4), were adult pigs (> 1 year old). Viral DNA was detected in 72 of the 391 sampled pigs, indicating an overall infection rate of 18.4% (95% CI, 14.5–22.4). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed several risk factors positively associated with ASFV infection: feeding with swill in pen (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 2.12–6.77); mixed ages of pigs in the same pen (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.99–5.57); introduction of new animals to the farm (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.91–15.28). The risk factors that were negatively (protective) correlated with ASFV positivity were the presence of male animals and the use of an in-pen breeding system. Conclusion Local pig farmers should be encouraged to adopt proper husbandry and feeding practices in order to increase the number of ASF-free farms.
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spelling CGSpace1138982025-08-15T13:22:48Z Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo Bisimwa, P.N. Dione, Michel M. Basengere, B. Mushagalusa, C.A. Steinaa, Lucilla Ongus, J. african swine fever virus swine animal production Background African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease of domestic pigs that presents as a hemorrhagic fever, and for which no effective vaccine is available. The disease has a serious negative social and economic impact on pig keepers. There is limited information on the potential risk factors responsible for the spread of ASF in South Kivu. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk factors associated with ASF infection in suspected ASF virus (ASFV)-infected pigs. Methods We sampled whole blood from 391 pigs. Additionally, 300 pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Viral DNA was detected by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Results The majority of pigs sampled, 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.4–82.6), were of local breeds. Over half, 60.4% (95% CI, 55.5–65.2), were female, and most of them, 90.5% (95% CI, 87.6–93.4), were adult pigs (> 1 year old). Viral DNA was detected in 72 of the 391 sampled pigs, indicating an overall infection rate of 18.4% (95% CI, 14.5–22.4). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed several risk factors positively associated with ASFV infection: feeding with swill in pen (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 2.12–6.77); mixed ages of pigs in the same pen (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.99–5.57); introduction of new animals to the farm (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.91–15.28). The risk factors that were negatively (protective) correlated with ASFV positivity were the presence of male animals and the use of an in-pen breeding system. Conclusion Local pig farmers should be encouraged to adopt proper husbandry and feeding practices in order to increase the number of ASF-free farms. 2021 2021-06-08T15:24:49Z 2021-06-08T15:24:49Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113898 en Open Access XMLink Bisimwa, P.N., Dione, M., Basengere, B., Mushagalusa, C.A., Steinaa, L. and Ongus, J. 2021. Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Journal of Veterinary Science 22(3): e35.
spellingShingle african swine fever virus
swine
animal production
Bisimwa, P.N.
Dione, Michel M.
Basengere, B.
Mushagalusa, C.A.
Steinaa, Lucilla
Ongus, J.
Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo
title Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo
title_full Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo
title_fullStr Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo
title_full_unstemmed Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo
title_short Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo
title_sort risk factors of african swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in south kivu province democratic republic of congo
topic african swine fever virus
swine
animal production
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113898
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