About 1,600 Pigs Culled Due to ASF
RUSSIA - Close to 1,600 pigs have been culled in Russia's North Caucasus Republic of North Ossetia, after an outbreak of the African swine fever virus (ASFV).
A total of 369 pigs have died so far in the province, including four on Sunday, reports RIA Novosti.
"Settlements where the disease has been registered... have a total of 9,000 pigs, all of which will have to be culled," the spokesman said.
Outbreaks of the highly contagious virus are rare outside Africa, but last spring Georgia, which borders on North Ossetia, saw outbreaks in 10 regions. A total of 20,000 pigs were culled.
Preliminary reports said the infection may have been brought in by wild pigs. The virus can survive for up to 15 weeks in raw pork, and up to six months in processed meat. The virus, which causes lethal hemorrhagic disease in pigs, does not pose a threat to humans.
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Further Reading
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Find out more information on African Swine Fever (ASF) by clicking here.
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21 July 2008
2 minute read
