Due to the spread of the African Swine Fever, throughout the territory of Russia, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture is considering the possibility of transferring pig farms to closed operation mode.
This is in order to prevent further fever spread in the territory of the country which can result in loss of 1 million pigs – equivalent to 50,000 tonnes of meat.
"In order to resolve this problem we will have to transfer all hog farms to the closed type of production," said the Russian Minister of Agriculture yesterday.
According to the official, the direct economic losses from African Swine Fever could reach 25-30 billion rubles (EUR 600 million). Further spread of the disease can destroy the country’s pig production, and the whole program of livestock development.
"New outbreaks of the disease can arise where there is no proper veterinary protection of pig farms and where farm management violates the veterinary and sanitary regulations," Skrynnik added.
Spread of disease
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO UN) has already expressed its concerns regarding with African swine fever spread in Russia. According to FAO experts, the disease could spread to other regions, including the European Union, Eastern Europe, and the Black Sea.
It warns that in the worst case scenario, the disease can even spread to central Asia and China which has the largest pig population in the world.
FAO says the virus can spread locally and over wider geographical areas by moving infected pigs or contaminated pork products.
[Editor’s note: The reports of continued spread of ASF are concerning. We have no vaccine or effective treatment to address this devastating disease. Of even greater concern is the fact that in 2003 the USDA discontinued all ASF research efforts at Plum Island, a decision strongly opposed by swine veterinarians and producers. The clinical presentation, which varies greatly depending on the virulence and route and dose of exposure, can range from peracute with high mortality to chronic with low mortality and the development of carrier animals. The disease may be sub-clinical or resemble classical swine fever or erysipelas (high fever, hemorrhages on the skin and organs). The virus can be transmitted a number of ways including direct contact with infected swine or tick bites (ticks can serve as viral reservoirs and vectors). Additional information is available through the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University.]
Source:
MeatInternational.com, October 26, 2009
By Evegen Vorotnikov