Rare Illness Related to Ebola Kills Domestic Pigs: Is It Harmful to Humans?

Germany is the most recent country to report the African swine fever virus in its pigs. However, while the virus is lethal to pigs, it is unlikely to be harmful to people.

German health experts have maintained that the virus causing African swine fever is unlikely to affect people, even if they consume meat from sick animals. However, the reassurance comes in the aftermath of the virus being discovered on many pig farms across the country, which is a concerning development given that ASF is extremely infectious and deadly in domestic pigs.

Throughout the years of the virus, not a case of human captivation of the virus has been detected. Even when consumed by a person, there are no effects to the body of the human.

(Photo : Photo by Diego San on Unsplash)

The known virus is not the only living virus that affects the qualities of pigs. Just recently, there was an international group of viruses said to be related to ASF that has been found in the Middle East and Spain.

 This virus should not be taken lightly and as detected by the researchers the sequence shows greater genetic diversity from the new group. This pinpoints the possibility of human contraction in the future if not studied properly. The possibility of human infection by the as far viruses will be an issue if undetected.

Origin of the African Swine Fever

It all started in Kenya during the year 1921. It is transferred from pig to pig in the forms of arthropods (insects), causing ticks to the host and as it interacts with other pigs they are contaminated as well by this virus. The virus causes the pigs to shiver and feel extreme pain which results in death and study shows 100% mortality rate to the victims like the Ebola Virus.

Several European and American nations had ASF epidemics throughout the Iberian Peninsula's ASF years, owing mostly to the transportation of infected meat products. Except for the island of Sardinia, where the illness has been endemic since 1978, these outbreaks have been eliminated.

The fun fact about the virus is that even if the host is dead, it continues to live on the flesh of the pigs, becoming a real threat to other pigs because it can contaminate anyone who goes near it and has contact with it.

Also read: Experts Warn How The Next Global Outbreak May Come From Wildlife Trade

Pig illnesses' effect on other countries

This virus has become a problem to a lot of countries. Some countries tried to find solutions and possible remedies to the virus, spending millions in research to be able to control the spread of the virus. Countries try to monitor each pig that enters the country and check the possibility of the pigs to be exposed in any way possible to pigs with the African Swine Fever.

 Although controlled, the virus does not stop from spreading and reaches the continent of Europe. During the year 2018, it reaches Asia which causes global shortage of pigs and affects the economic stands of the affected countries. The 2018 disaster was record breaking and it was considered the largest epidemic caused by the ASF.

Also read: Zhu Jianqiang: China Mourns Death of Famous Pig that Survived the 7.9 Magnitude Quake in 2008