An estimated 300 pigs have died since the outbreak of swine flu in the Garden Route after cases were first recorded last week.
But officials say this number is just a drop in the ocean, with the true statistics set to be released later in the week as the department of agriculture continues with oversight visits to affected areas on Wednesday.
The first single cases were recorded in KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay and in Thembalethu, George.
The department is conducting information sessions regarding the disease.
Mossel Bay was the focus on Monday, George on Tuesday and e department officials will visit Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday.
The George leg was addressed by vet Dr Leana Janse van Rensburg, who focused on the disease, while technical adviser Sarah Chirwa, of the Pig Improvement Company, focused on biosecurity, and Joline van Zyl, of Nova Feeds, taught the farmers on correcting pig feeding methods.
Janse van Rensburg said the sessions had been well received with 30 attendees in the two sessions in Mossel Bay, and more than 60 at the George session.
“The common problems that are faced by farmers is that the structures are not conducive and there are a lot of free roaming pigs which can carry the disease between the pigs,” she said.
“The nature of the infrastructure is not conducive in the health of the pigs at all.”
On Friday, Mossel Bay farmer Loyiso Siko told The Herald he had lost 92 of his 111 pigs — but he had since recorded further losses.
He now has only three pigs left.
“I have nothing now,” Siko said.
Speaking on the information day, Siko said he had hoped to learn more about the disease.
“I had hoped that they would focus on how to get us to be commercial farmers and how to make our business formal so that when these types of disease strike, we know what to do,” he said.
“Other farmers have given up because of this disaster.
“The department needs to assist us to make us compliant and so to be able to qualify for grants or any assistance when such things happen,” Siko said.
“They are the ones with the knowledge, they should give it to us,” he said.
George informal farmer Mlamli Saki said he was grateful he had not lost any pigs yet.
“We have over 1,900 pigs between the different farmers’ associations that are housed there.
“We have not lost any pigs yet,” he said.
Siko said he was grateful for the information from the information day.
“We now know more and we will continue to use the same methods we are using,” Saki said.
Meanwhile, the head of veterinary services, Dr Gininda Msiza, said the quarantine period was still valid for the affected areas.
“The quarantine means that pigs or pig products may not be moved out of these areas without a permit issued by the local state veterinary office and that carcasses need to be disposed of responsibly.
“To this end, local municipalities have provided burial sites and disinfectants,” he said.
“There is no effective vaccine available to prevent swine flu.
“For this reason, I appeal to farmers to continue to implement effective biosecurity measures.
“This entails keeping pigs confined to avoid contact with other pigs and humans sanitising their hands, shoes, clothing and equipment before and after contact with pigs or pig products.”
HeraldLIVE
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