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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 9th November 2017
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Sharing best practices ‘critical’ to halt spread of ASF
Lithuania was the first country in the European Union to report cases in wild boar.

Analysis reveals disease is continuing to spread among wild boar
 
Food safety experts have declared that sharing best practices in fighting African swine fever (ASF) is critical to prevent the spread of the disease.

Research by the European Food Safety Authority found that the disease is continuing to spread among wild boar in the Baltic States and Poland. The experts concluded that humans have been critical in spreading the disease. For example, through the disposal of contaminated waste in wild boar habitat.

‘Drastic depopulation, targeted hunting of female wild boar and carcass removal solely implemented as measures to control ASF in the wild boar population need to be implemented in a highly effective manner (at or beyond the limit of reported effectivity in wild boar management) to sustainably halt the spread of ASF,’ the authors conclude.

In the study, EFSA experts helped Baltic countries and Poland analyse epidemiological data collected until September 2017. The analysis revealed that two more EU Member States - the Czech Republic and Romania - reported cases in 2017, bringing the total number of affected Member States to six.

African swine fever is a devastating disease of pigs that is spread either via direct animal contact or through contaminated food, such as sausages. In January 2014, Lithuania became the first country in the European Union to report cases in wild boar. This was followed in June and September 2014 by Latvia and Estonia respectively.

Measures to prevent the spread of ASF began after the disease was first confirmed in Brussels in June 2013. The measures included increased biosecurity and surveillance on pig farms and the use of wild boar repellents.

Findings from the study will be presented by EFSA veterinary surgeon Sofie Hollander later today (9 November) at a conference organised by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic.

The study, 'Epidemiological analyses of African swine fever in the Baltic States and Poland', is published in the EFSA Journal.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.