According to Rosselkhoznadzor, there has been an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Ukraine. It occurred in the village of Komishevatka in Primorsky district in the region of Zaporozhye, which is in the south-east of the country, near to the Sea of Azov. Five pigs from one private farms were affected. There are 170 pigs in the village, and the survivors have been destroyed and the carcasses disposed of.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), five animals were maintained in the backyard; three of them were affected with non-specific clinical signs – only fever was observed – and died shortly afterwards. The samples taken from the dead animals were analysed by PCR method. The ASF virus was detected. A full range of measures to eradicate the outbreak are carrying out. Two animals were destroyed, according to OIE.

The village in under quarantine and roads to the village have been blocked to prevent further spread of the disease.

The infection was diagnosed by Ukraine’s State Scientific Research Institute laboratory from samples from the dead pigs. Samples were sent to Italy to confirm the diagnosis.

It is thought that the ASF virus was introduced with food smuggled by passengers in baggage and hand luggage.

Because of the high risk of ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs in Ukraine, there has been widespread shooting of wild boar in the region.

Official reports of an outbreak have been made to the department of veterinary medicine at Rosselkhoznadzor and to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Rosselkhoznadzor is closely monitoring developments, and handling of the Ukrainian side is ready to assist in the fight against an outbreak of disease.