ASF Continues Spread

January 30, 2008 — 

The Azerbaijan State Veterinary Service has informed the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of a confirmed outbreak of African swine fever (ASF).

The outbreak, which began on January 22nd, was confirmed by PCR at the National laboratory on January 28th. At the time of the notification, 7 confirmed cases had been reported resulting in the death of 3 pigs and the destruction of 22 more from a population of 4750 head.

Azerbaijan shares borders with Georgia and Armenia which have been undergoing outbreaks of ASF since the initial outbreak in Georgia in April 2007. Control measures in the area are difficult and experts have warned that continued spread is likely. Recent reports have also indicated outbreaks in the Chechen Republic (Chechnya) resulting from exposure to infected wild boars migrating from Georgia.

Russian officials have announced plans to destroy pigs on farms throughout Chechnya in an effort to control the outbreak as well as shooting wild boars in 17 regions of the republic. According to a Russian report, up to 100,000 swine have been culled in Georgia, and some 40,000 in South Osetia (a disputed territory in the Georgian state).

Georgian officials notified the OIE on January 16, 2008 that there had been no new cases of ASF reported in the Racha-Lechkhum-Kvemo Svaneti region since August 15, 2007. As a result, they were lifting trade and movement restrictions in the region.