Massive Death of Pigs in Mexico Not Caused By Swine Fever, But Salmonella and Pneumonia

The Mexican agriculture department has banned pork and pork products from the Dominican Republic and other countries affected by African Swine Fever since August 2021. Reuters reported that officials used X-rays on all baggage coming from the Dominican Republic to detect products of risk and destroy such items.

Despite this effort, Mexico still experienced a pig die-off that authorities started to believe the viral disease had already reached the country. But recent analysis showed salmonella and pneumonia as the likely cause of the die-off, so Mexican authorities can now breathe a sigh of relief.

(Photo: Unsplash/ Kenneth Schipper Vera)
Salmonella and Pneumonia Caused Pig Die-Off in Mexico, Not African Swine Fever Says Authorities

Pigs With Salmonella Culled in Mexico

Mexican authorities announced on Friday, January 14, that the die-off of pigs in the country in December at a local slaughterhouse was because of salmonella and the commonly occurring infection called Pasteurellosis and not African Swine Fever, Phys.org reported.

The agriculture department documented around 220 pigs were culled at the slaughterhouse located on the Pacific coast state of Nayarit. It is a precaution to prevent further transmission of the infection to other pigs.

According to Professional Pig Community, salmonella can infect humans and animals, although the serotypes Salmonella Choleraesuis and Salmonella Typhimurium are the most known serotypes to infect pigs. It can cause fever, depression, septicemia, pneumonia, meningitis, arthritis, and diarrhea among pigs.

But between the two serotypes, Salmonella Typhimurium is the most common. On the other hand, pigs can also become sub-carriers of S. Choleraesuis because they live in the large intestine's mesenteric lymph nodes. Some pigs excrete the bacteria via their feces.

ALSO READ: Salmonella Outbreak in 29 States Originates from Take Out Cup: What Causes It? Can It Result in Death or Permanent Damage?

Pneumonia Also Detected Among Pigs in Mexico

Aside from pneumonia, Phys.org reported that Mexican authorities had detected Mycoplasmal Pneumonia, which is a common bacteria that causes lung infection in pigs. Authorities noticed that pigs had started dying around the Christmas season that led them to order the slaughterhouse to bury infected pigs to avoid it contaminating other pigs.

Despite detecting these bacteria, authorities are relieved that it was not the African Swine Fever that caused the pig die-off in the country. The contagious and viral disease has been detected in China and some parts of Europe.

What Precautions Has Mexico Put in Place Against African Swine Fever?

The Mexican agriculture department, along with the National Service of Health and Safety and Food Quality(Senasica) reinforced defense mechanisms against the African Swine Fever. According to Pig Site, the three agencies have created three preventive measures to void local transmission of the viral disease. These are the following:

All Sanitary Inspection offices, especially those located in the Customs of all ports, airports, and borders of entry to Mexico, should tighten inspection methods. Authorities have placed sanitary mats for the descent of passengers and crew of ships and airplanes coming from affected countries.
The government collaborates with farmers of both commercial and family production levels. Mexico has trained around 2,000 technicians, veterinarians, students, and producers on the detection of the disease and other diseases that harm the pigs.
the disease enters Mexico, Senasica is ready since it is in a permanent state of alert. They will immediately employ the National Animal Health Emergency Device (DINESA) to rapidly eradicate the infection.