8.4 Biosecurity at backyard and small-scale farms
Biosecurity of pigs at backyard and small-scale farms should be
effectively maintained to avoid the exposure of new or previously
unknown pathogens in a farm, reduce the effect of endemic diseases in an
area and limit the circulation of infectious diseases to nearby farms.
Segregation, cleaning and disinfection are the major elements of
biosecurity at farm level. Implementation of quarantine measures of
newly introduced animals, controlling the entry of pigs from outside
farms/markets/villages, proper fencing of the farm area to prevent
people, animals and birds which may serve as mechanical vectors of ASF
transmission and maintaining adequate distances between farms are the
important components of segregation (FAO, 2010). Households with small
scale pig farms are encouraged for routine cleaning of pens and premises
which includes quick removal of food, faeces, litter and dust followed
by disinfection using approved disinfectants.