The Western Equatoria State Ministry of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism has deployed veterinary officers and para-veterinarians to investigate the deaths of thousands of pigs in Yambio and Nzara counties.
The deaths are suspected to be linked to a viral disease with symptoms similar to African Swine Fever, raising concern among farmers who depend on piggery for their livelihoods.
Samuel Simon Zigizo, State Minister for Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, said their records show that 8,688 pigs have died in Yambio County alone, affecting 22 households.
He stated that veterinary officers were deployed to hotspot areas to investigate the cause of the deaths, while the state has shared its findings with the National Ministry of Livestock and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“Right from the beginning, we deployed para-veterinarians and veterinary officers to the hotspot areas to investigate the cause of the deaths,” he said. “We shared the report with the National Ministry of Livestock and our partner, FAO. FAO has been facilitating most of our movements to these sites, and they have been very helpful.”
According to the minister, the disease appears to be viral, and there is currently no specific vaccine or treatment available. He said antibiotics are available to veterinary officers to help manage possible secondary bacterial infections.
“Our message to the community is that they should isolate unhealthy animals from the healthy ones because, at the moment, we do not have vaccines or specific treatment,” Minister Zigizo advised. “Once they notice any abnormality, they should contact the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, particularly the Department of Veterinary Services.”
He also urged farmers to maintain proper hygiene and keep their animals confined to prevent them from moving freely and potentially spreading or contracting diseases. The minister further called on livestock partners and organizations supporting farmers to coordinate their activities with the ministry, particularly when sourcing and distributing animals.
“We are urging our partners, especially those involved in livestock activities and supporting farmers, to liaise and cooperate with the ministry,” he stated.
Minister Zigizo also called on partners to assess losses among farmers who previously received livestock support and consider restocking affected households.
“They should determine the level of losses, and then we can think of a restocking effort because it can help the farmers recover their animals,” he said.
The ministry’s response follows appeals from affected farmers in Yambio for urgent assistance. Earlier reports in August indicated that at least 148 pigs had died, with farmers reporting significant losses.
Meanwhile, Jacob Ginaba, a farmer and sub-chief of Kuze Area, told Radio Tamazuj that he lost all 31 of his pigs within one week.
“Four to five pigs were dying every day until I lost all 31 pigs,” he lamented. “My children depend on these pigs for school fees and family needs. Now we have nothing left.”
Another farmer, Gbodoro Elia, said he also lost his pigs and was unable to determine the cause of the deaths.
The farmers have appealed to the government and humanitarian partners to investigate the disease and support affected households to rebuild their livestock.
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