Kenya intensifies measures to contain African Swine Fever outbreaks

KENYA – The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has intensified nationwide measures to contain African Swine Fever (ASF) following continued outbreaks reported in several counties, strengthening disease surveillance, farm biosecurity, animal movement controls, and rapid response systems.

Recent surveillance through the Kenya Animal Bio-surveillance System (KABS), Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and field investigations has confirmed continued circulation of ASF during 2025 and the first half of 2026.

Significant outbreaks have been recorded in Tharaka-Nithi, Kiambu, Busia, Embu, Kakamega and Siaya, among other counties, resulting in high pig mortalities and substantial economic losses for farmers.

The DVS has directed County Directors of Veterinary Services to immediately enhance surveillance and investigations, strengthen farm biosecurity, enforce movement controls and activate rapid response teams to suspected cases.

The Directorate is also increasing farmer awareness and disease reporting, while county veterinary teams have been instructed to intensify inspections at livestock markets, slaughterhouses and retail pork outlets.

Biosecurity remains central to ASF control

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. 

Although it does not infect people or pose a public health risk, outbreaks can cause severe losses across the pig value chain and threaten farmer livelihoods, food security and the development of Kenya’s pig industry.

The DVS said there is currently no effective treatment or commercially available vaccine for the ASF virus strains circulating in Kenya, making prevention, early detection and rapid response critical to controlling outbreaks.

Pig farmers are being urged to report unusual illness or sudden deaths immediately to the nearest veterinary office.

Farmers are also advised to restrict unnecessary movement of people, animals, vehicles and equipment onto farms and maintain regular cleaning and disinfection of pig housing, equipment and transport vehicles.

Authorities are further advising farmers to avoid feeding pigs untreated swill or food waste, source animals from reputable suppliers and comply with animal movement permit requirements.

Carcasses from infected or suspected animals should be disposed of safely under veterinary guidance, while farmers and other stakeholders are expected to cooperate with quarantine and movement restrictions imposed in affected areas.

The strengthened response is being implemented under Kenya’s national ASF Control Strategy and ASF Risk Communication and Community Engagement Strategy, which have been distributed to County Directors to support coordinated implementation.

The DVS is calling on traders, transporters, slaughterhouse operators, butchers and other stakeholders across the pig value chain to work closely with veterinary authorities to improve disease detection, reporting and containment.

The measures come as Kenya’s pig sector continues to face the economic consequences of disease outbreaks, highlighting the need for stronger farm-level biosecurity and coordinated surveillance across the value chain.

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