Georgia: more cases of African Swine Fever

The outbreak was confirmed near the towns of Babushari and Latta, both in the autonomous region of Abkhazia, in the North of Georgia.

The information was provided on Friday by Dr Levan Ramishvili, chairman of the veterinary union at the country’s ministry of agriculture in Tbilisi.

Necropsy
The animals were found suspect on August 3rd; ASF was confirmed after a necropsy of the animals. Out of a group of 400 animals, 341 animals have been found carrying the disease. A total of 59 had to be killed.

The pigs are thought to be infected by fomites, so the carrier of the disease could have been humans, vehicles or feed.

As a result of the outbreak, Georgia applied a number of measures, like movement control inside the country, disinfection of the infected premises, quarantine and vaccination. Affected animals are not treated.

More ASF reports
It is not the first time ASF was reported in Georgia this summer. In April, May and June, the disease caused Russia to close its borders for Georgian pork when ASF was reported in 52 out of 65 districts in Georgia.

More than 30,000 pigs died and a total of 22,000 pigs had to be culled. It is estimated that the country has about 500,000 pigs, kept mainly in backyards and small farms.

African Swine Fever – unlike Classical Swine Fever (CSF) – generally does not spread north of the Sahara. Only the Italian island of Sardinia is known for ASF infections. There is no vaccine for the disease.

Related news items
• Was Georgian swine fever outbreak deliberate? (4 July 2007)
• Swine fever further spreads in Georgia (29 June 2007)
• Georgia: African Swine Fever is contained (18 June 2007)
• UN warns for ASF outbreak in Georgia (12 June 2007)
• Georgia confirms outbreak of African Swine Fever (8 June 2007)


Related websites:
• World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
• Georgian ministry of agriculture

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