This year’s first African swine fever (ASF) case was found among domestic pigs in Gulbene County in Latvia, as confirmed by the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).
PVD has commenced epidemiological and limiting measures in the enclosure where the infection was found. An investigation is underway as well.
In order to liquidate the source of the infection and prevent it from spreading,
all 100 pigs held at the affected farm will be put down.
A quarantine zone will be established around the affected farm. PVD will be monitoring people’s health and compliance with bio-security measures within this area.
Other enclosures with domestic pigs within the quarantine area are not allowed to move pigs from farm to farm, as well as carry pigs and pork outside the quarantine area.
PVD reminds – to protect pigs from ASF and their unavoidable termination in the event of infection, owners are required to follow bio-security requirements:
change footwear before entering the enclosure, perform footwear and other equipment disinfection, as well as not not carry said equipment outside the shed it is used in.
It is also important to prevent domestic pigs from contacting with wild animals. Animal feed should be kept safe from wild animals as well. Pigs should not be fed food leftovers, grass mowed in backyard gardens or plant food that did not undergo thermal processing.
PVD notes that visitors should not be allowed into enclosures. If pigs seem unwell, their state should be reported to veterinarians immediately.
So far this year ASF has been confirmed in 239 wild boars in 23 Latvian regions.
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