Russian officials and local media have recently reported an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Chinese provinces along the China-Russian border (Russians Report ASF in China, AASV e-Letter, November 20, 2007). Chinese officials sent a team of experts to the area to investigate the reports and collect diagnostic samples.
Following is a translation provided by AASV member Dr. Ng Lip Tet of a press release from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture dated December 6, 2007 addressing their findings:
“A team of experts were sent to Hulin, Mishan and Tsidun to work with local veterinary authorities to investigate the foreign reports of outbreaks of ASF in Heilongjiang. Samples were collected for laboratory testing. No outbreak of ASF has been detected.
No major large animal disease outbreak has been reported in Heilongjiang since the beginning of this year. The team found the pig population in the areas mentioned by foreign press to be healthy and there were no signs of any disease outbreak. Serum and tissue samples were collected from 76 farms in 14 township/villages in the areas and all results were tested negative for ASF using methods as recommended by OIE.
No outbreak of ASF has ever occurred in China. China has always banned the importation of live pigs and pig products from countries affected with ASF. From the investigation and test results, there is no evidence to support the foreign reports of ASF outbreaks in Heilongjiang. "</i>
AASV e-Letter wishes to thank Ng Lip Tet, veterinarian with the Hong Kong government, for providing this translation and helping to provide an accurate assessment of the conditions in China.