African Swine Fever: Can the deadly pig disease infect humans?

African Swine Fever (ASF) has been reported in seven Kenyan counties, raising concern among pig farmers as authorities step up efforts to contain the highly contagious disease.

The affected counties are Kiambu, Tharaka-Nithi, Busia, Embu, Kakamega, Homa Bay and Migori, according to the Department of Veterinary Services.

The spread has prompted the government to strengthen livestock disease surveillance and prevention measures, including monitoring the movement of livestock and pastoralist communities to limit further transmission.

With the disease spreading among pig populations in several parts of Kenya, many people may be wondering whether they are also at risk of catching it.

Can African Swine Fever infect humans?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), African Swine Fever does not infect humans.

ASF is a highly contagious and often deadly viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs but poses no risk to human health.

This means a person cannot contract the disease simply by handling an infected pig or coming into contact with one. Additionally, the virus is also not transmitted to humans through eating pork products, according to WOAH.

Why is it dangerous?

While ASF poses no direct threat to humans, it can be devastating to pigs.

Infected pigs can develop fever, weakness, loss of appetite and skin haemorrhages, with some animals dying suddenly. Mortality rates can reach 100 per cent, making ASF one of the most serious diseases affecting pig populations.

The high death rate can have a significant financial impact on farmers, particularly when outbreaks result in the loss of large numbers of animals and authorities introduce restrictions to prevent further spread.

The effects can extend beyond individual farms, disrupting pig production, pork markets and the livelihoods of communities that depend on pig farming for income and food security.

Smallholder farmers can be particularly vulnerable because they may have limited resources to replace animals lost during an outbreak or recover from prolonged production and market disruptions.

How does it spread?

The ASF virus can spread through direct contact with infected pigs as well as through contaminated materials such as feed, farm equipment, clothing and vehicles.

People can also unknowingly help move the virus from one location to another when contaminated footwear, clothing or equipment comes into contact with healthy pigs.

This makes strict biosecurity and hygiene measures essential in preventing the disease from spreading between farms.

Farmers are advised to control access to pig units, disinfect equipment and footwear, limit unnecessary movement of pigs and avoid introducing animals from unknown or potentially infected sources.

The safe handling of pig feed and food waste is also important because contaminated material can introduce the virus into pig populations.

How can farmers help prevent its spread?

With no widely available effective treatment for ASF, prevention, early detection and rapid response remain critical in controlling outbreaks.

Farmers should monitor their pigs for signs of illness and promptly report suspected cases to veterinary authorities.

They should also follow official guidance on animal movement and strengthen biosecurity measures on their farms.

These measures can help protect healthy pigs, reduce losses and limit the spread of the virus to other farms and counties.

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