Outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs in two pig farms in Rudbārži parish, Skrunda district, were confirmed on Friday, the portal “Delfi” was informed Food and Veterinary Service. The number of domestic pigs in SIA “Korkalns” is more than 9,800, while on the farm “Kalna Dzenīši” the virus has affected a holding with more than 1,700 domestic pigs. Domestic pig farms affected by ASF are 1.5 km away.
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The FVS has started measures to control ASF on the farm, including the destruction of more than 11,500 pigs.
A designated quarantine – protection zone within a radius of three kilometers and a surveillance zone within a radius of ten kilometers around the affected holding. Compliance with pig registration and biosecurity requirements and the health status of pigs will be intensified in the holdings in this area. Special attention will be paid to the transport of pigs as well as pork products, the authority informs.
Domestic pig keepers in the FVS protection and surveillance zone are reminded that it is forbidden to move pigs from farm to farm, as well as to move pigs and pork outside these zones.
The FVS has also launched an epidemiological investigation to determine how the disease entered the holding.
The FVS calls on pig keepers to be responsible and recalls that summer is a high-risk period when the ASF virus is most likely to enter domestic pig holdings.
In order to protect domestic pigs from ASF and their inevitable eradication, biosecurity measures must be strictly observed, such as avoiding direct and indirect contact between pigs and wild and stray animals, and taking care with all types of agricultural machinery to prevent their roads from crossing with pig holdings, litter that may have been accessed by wild animals must not be used, footwear must be disinfected at the entrance to the holding, and regular cleaning and disinfection measures must be carried out in the holding. Vehicles entering the farm must also be thoroughly disinfected and, if the pigs look unhealthy, a veterinarian must be called immediately and other biosecurity measures must be observed.
This year, the first case of ASF for domestic pigs was detected on July 6 in Gudenieki Parish, Kuldīga District, where there were 31 pigs in the backyard farm, reminds the FVS.
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