African swine fever detected in Rõuge parish in Võrumaa

2023-07-20 15:25:30

Illustrative photo. Canva

African swine fever (ASF) has been detected on a farm with 116 pigs in Rõuge parish in Võrumaa, so all the pigs will have to be killed, reports BNS.

The first report of a disease in pigs and a suspected epizootic was received by the Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) on Wednesday. “The results of a laboratory study confirming the presence of the causative agent of African swine fever were received on Thursday. Due to the epizootic, all the pigs kept on the farm will be killed, since there is no treatment for the disease,” explained Igne Saavo, head of the southern region of the PTA.

The PTA will then organize a complete cleaning and disinfection of the farm premises, and after a certain period of time pigs can be kept there again. The owner can apply for compensation for slaughtered pigs.

“There is no other pig farm within the 10 km radius of the farm,” Saavo said. The farm has been restricted. It is impossible to export or import pigs from it, and until the elimination of the epizootic point, the movement of people and vehicles is limited. Entrance to the territory is allowed only to persons authorized by the PTA.

The last outbreak of ASF among domestic pigs was discovered in July 2021 at the OÜ Pihlaka Farm in Harju County, where about 200 pigs had to be killed. The last case of ASF in a wild boar was diagnosed by PTA at the beginning of February in Lääne-Virumaa, since then only wild boars with antibodies have been found.

As of the end of June of this year, antibodies to ASF were detected in three wild boars that had been shot in Võrumaa, in the municipalities of Setomaa and Võru. Latvia this week reported seven cases of ASF in wild boar in areas bordering Võrumaa. The closest case of ASF in a wild boar was found in Latvia, about 15 km from the outbreak.

The main symptoms of ASF are fever above 40 degrees, loss of appetite, lethargy, bluish skin color, cough, difficulty breathing, bruising on the skin, spots on the ears, and inflammation of the eyes with discharge.

ASF is not contagious to other species and humans, but they can carry it. The carrier is a sick animal, the virus can also be transmitted with contaminated vehicles, clothing, shoes, equipment, if they are not disinfected.

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