Exotic diseases are infectious diseases that do not occur in Australia. Pigs are ‘high risk’ animals for exotic diseases through the feeding of prohibited substances (swill) containing exotic viruses. The diseases most likely to be introduced into Australia through illegal swill feeding are foot and mouth disease (FMD), African swine fever (ASF), and classical swine fever (CSF).
Pig producers play an important role in preventing the introduction and spread of exotic diseases. It is important that you:
- know what swill is
- don’t feed swill to pigs
- know the symptoms
- report any unusual or suspect disease signs.
4 steps to keep exotic pig diseases out
Step 1: Know what swill is
Any mammalian meat or mammalian byproduct (including pies, sausage rolls, bacon and cheese rolls, pizza, deli meats, table scraps, restaurant waste or food that has been in contact with meat) is classified as “swill”. It is illegal to feed or allow pigs access to swill or anything that has been in contact with swill (such as in meat trays and take-away food containers).
Step 2: Don’t feed swill to pigs
You must not feed mammalian meat and other mammalian byproducts, or anything that has been in contact with meat to pigs. These restrictions apply to all pigs, including pet pigs. It is also illegal to allow pigs to feed on carcasses. Pigs that feed on carcasses are at risk of contracting anthrax and Salmonella, which are contagious to humans.
Step 3: Know the symptoms
Foot and mouth disease
Clinical signs of foot and mouth disease include fever and fluid-filled blisters (vesicles). Affected animals will salivate excessively and will most likely be lame. The skin covering the feet and the gums will have fluid-filled blisters and ulcers. These vesicles can form on the snout, nose, inside the mouth, on the tongue, at the top of the feet, between the claws of the feet and on the heel bulb. Vesicles may be seen on teats, shoulders and hocks.
African swine fever or classical swine fever
African swine fever and classical swine fever are indistinguishable in the field, and must be confirmed by laboratory diagnosis. Clinical signs for both diseases include fever, loss of appetite, depression/listlessness, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, discolouration of extremities (particularly ears and snout), and nervous signs. There can also be abortions in pregnant sows. Both diseases have a high mortality rate.
Step 4: Report any unusual or suspect
Report disease signs to the Disease Hotline
It is a legal requirement that you report any unusual or suspect exotic disease signs to your veterinarian, Local Land Services or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.1800 675 888
Key signs of an exotic disease include:
- blisters or vesicles on animals’ snout, or feet
- unusually high number of lame animals
- unusually high number of sick animals
- unusually high number of deaths
- unusually high number of animals with fevers (39.5-42ºC)
- unusually high number of animals not eating
- unusually high number of animals that do not want to get up or have nervous signs
- discoloration of the ears, belly, rump, legs, or tail
Foot and mouth disease - lesions on feet
Foot and mouth disease - blisters on snout
If you see any unusual signs of disease or death
Call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 680 244 or contact Local Land Services on 1300 795 299