Special Issue “African Swine Fever and Other Swine Viral Diseases in Africa”

Penrith, Mary‐Louise; Okoth, Edward

doi:10.3390/v15071438

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Approximately 5% of pigs worldwide are raised in Africa, mostly in sub-Saharan region. Pig production in Namibia, although not the largest on the continent, has an important role in local society and economy (1). Large commercial farms are scattered throughout the country and characterised by advanced management and biosecurity measures, especially targeted at the prevention of African Swine Fever (ASF) introduction (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PRRS is caused by two viral species, Betaarterivirus suid 1 and Betaarterivirus suid 2, belonging to the genus Betaarterivirus, family Arteriviridae. 1 These viruses were previously known as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 1 (PRRSV-1), or European type, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 2 (PRRSV-2), or American type (11). They are characterized by a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA [ssRNA(+)] genome of approximately 15 kb.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

First detection and molecular characterization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Namibia, Africa

Molini,

Coetzee,

Hemberger

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionThe swine sector in Africa plays an important role in local economies, contributing to poverty alleviation and community subsistence. In addition, intensive farming is progressively becoming more important in the region. Therefore, any disease affecting swine populations can have detrimental effects on local communities. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is among the most important infectious diseases affecting swine worldwide, but information on its epidemiology in Africa is extremely limited.Material and methodsIn the present study, 147 healthy butchered pigs, originating from 15 Namibian intensive and rural farms were tested by RT-PCR and the ORF7 genes of positive samples were sequenced for further genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, 55 warthogs were also evaluated using the same approach.ResultsOverall, 7 out of 147 pigs (4.76%) tested positive, all originating from 3 rural farms (with a within-herd detection frequency higher than 14%) characterized by strong epidemiological links. All industrial pig and warthog samples were negative. Sequence analysis revealed that all strains belonged to the Betaarterivirus suid1 species, previously known as PRRSV type I, and were likely imported from Europe at least 6 years ago, evolving independently thereafter. When and how the first introduction occurred could not be determined due to the absence of other African sequences for comparison.DiscussionThe present work provides the first detection and characterization of PRRSV molecular epidemiology in Namibia. Based on the present findings, the presence of the PPRSV appears marginal and limited to backyard farms. While biosecurity measures applied in industrial farms appear to be effective in preventing viral introduction, PRRSV circulation in rural settings still represents a potential threat, and considering the socio-economical implication of livestock diseases decreasing animal performances in rural areas, active monitoring should be encouraged to promptly act against emerging menaces and guarantee the welfare of local pig populations.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%