– ABEOKUTA
InsideOut Media Hub can authoritatively report that The Nigerian Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists (NAAHHT), South West Zone, has raised concerns over the resurgence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in parts of Nigeria, calling for stricter biosecurity measures and a coordinated national response to curb the spread of the disease.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s South West Zonal Meeting held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Veterinary Hospital Complex, Ita Eko, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The meeting was chaired by the National Vice President, South West Zone, Prince Oyewumi Oyedele Oyetunde, with delegates from across the region in attendance.
The association warned that ASF remains a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, posing a serious threat to livestock production, farmers’ livelihoods, food security and the nation’s livestock economy, despite not being transmissible to humans.
NAAHHT urged pig farmers to immediately strengthen biosecurity on their farms by restricting unnecessary visitors, disinfecting vehicles, equipment and personnel, controlling animal movement and maintaining strict sanitation practices.
The association also advised farmers to promptly report suspected cases or sudden deaths of pigs to veterinary authorities, stressing that early detection and rapid response remain critical to containing outbreaks.
It condemned the movement, sale or slaughter of infected pigs and urged strict compliance with existing disease control regulations to prevent further transmission.
The body further called on the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, state ministries of agriculture, veterinary institutions, research organisations and other relevant agencies to intensify disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, public awareness campaigns and epidemiological investigations nationwide.
Highlighting the role of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists, NAAHHT said its members remain vital to disease surveillance, farm inspections, outbreak investigations, farmer education, biosecurity implementation and emergency response.
The association advocated stronger collaboration among government agencies, livestock producers, veterinary professionals, security agencies and industry stakeholders to establish a sustainable national African Swine Fever prevention and control programme.
It also urged government to provide greater support for disease surveillance, diagnostic laboratories, movement control and intervention programmes to encourage timely reporting while reducing the economic burden on affected farmers.
Reaffirming its commitment to promoting animal health and safeguarding Nigeria’s swine industry, NAAHHT called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and work collectively to contain the current outbreak through strict biosecurity, prompt reporting and coordinated disease control measures.
