African Swine Fever virus confirmed on commercial farm in Romania
According to a press release of the National Sanitary-Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA), the African Swine Fever virus was confirmed on a farm belonging to a commercial pig company in Tulcea County (south-east Romania, close to the border with Ukraine). It is the first time when the virus is detected on a commercial farm.
Assessment
The epidemiological inquiry was initiated by ANSVSA on June 28 as a result of the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in a slaughterhouse belonging to a commercial pig farm in Tulcea County. The results of laboratory tests confirmed its presence in the farm belonging to the same holding.
For an efficient intervention, ANSVSA ordered the secondment of specialized personnel from ten other countries. The President of the Authority, dr. Geronimo Brănescu, and a team of specialists from ANSVSA at the central level are present at the outbreak location.
In order to support the authorities, two experts from the European Commission came to Romania in order to participate in the assessment of the situation and provide expert advice for operative management.
Procedures
According to the procedures, all pigs on the holding (44,580 heads) will be culled, and a sufficient number of samples will be taken, so that the laboratory results can be used in epidemiological investigations to determine how the ASF virus was introduced on the farm.
Swine carcasses will be destroyed under official supervision. For this operation, four incinerators were brought from as far as Timis County (west Romania) with the support of the Ministry of National Defense.
After depopulation, the mechanical cleaning, disinfection, pest control and disinsection of the affected areas and means of transport will follow.
Sanitary-veterinary staff will participate, together with police representatives, in traffic controls and other specific checks to ensure compliance with the imposed quarantine measures and traffic restrictions.
4.07.2018