Insights from social network analysis are helping to build understanding of African Swine Fever epidemiology

Jacqueline K. Lichoti, Jocelyn Davies, Edward Okoth, Yiheyis Maru and Richard Bishop

No 159704, 2013 Fourth International Conference, September 22-25, 2013, Hammamet, Tunisia from African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE)

Abstract: Pig movements are likely to play a signficant role in the spread of important infectious diseases such as the African Swine Fever. Characterization of movement networks from farm-to-farm and through other types of farm or household operations can provide useful information on the role that networks play in acquiring and spreading infectious diseases. Analysis of social networks that underpin these pig movements can also reveal structures that are important in the transmission of disease, trade of commodities, the spread of knowledge and norms of social behavior. Our study assessed pig movements among pig keeping households within Kenya and Uganda and across the Kenya-Uganda border to help understand within country and trans-boundary pig movements.Villages were sampled using randomized cluster design. Data was collected through interviews in 2012/13 of 683 smallholder pig-keeping households in 38 villages. NodeXL software was used to analyze pig movement networks at village level. Movement of pigs occurred through agistment, sow service, restocking of household pigs and sale of finished pigs for slaughter. Most sow services occurred within the same villages or villages that were close by. Cross-border boar service between Uganda and Kenya was also recorded. Internal and unmonitored trade in both directions was prevalent. Most pig sales during ASF outbreak were to traders or other farmers who were most likely not coming from the same village. Close social relationships between actors in pig movement networks indicate the potential for possible interventions to develop shared norms amongst smallholder pig keepers to manage risk of ASF contraction and transmission.

Keywords: Livestock Production/Industries; Public Economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 14
Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aaae13:159704

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.159704

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