Russia Declares Emergency over African Swine Fever

RUSSIA - Russia's North Caucasus republic of North Ossetia has declared an emergency situation due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF).
calendar icon 1 August 2008
clock icon 2 minute read

The move follows "a recommendation from the presidential envoy's office," the spokesman said.

So far, a total of 1,076 pigs have died of the virus in North Ossetia, and more than 3,500 pigs have been culled, since the outbreak was registered on June 30 in four of the province's eight regions.

Outbreaks of the highly contagious virus are rare outside Africa, but last spring Georgia, which borders North Ossetia, saw outbreaks in 10 regions. A total of 20,000 pigs were culled, reports RIA Novosti.

Preliminary reports said the infection may have been brought in by wild boars. 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.

Over 170 people have been deployed to guard the province's border, to ensure that no pork products are taken out of North Ossetia, which has approximately 115,000 domestic pigs.

Further Reading

- Go to our previous news item on this story by clicking here.
- Find out more information on African Swine Fever (ASF) by clicking here.
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