STATE OF EMERGENCY IN NINE MUNICIPALITIES: African swine fever caused die-off in Serbia, over 30,000 pigs died or were euthanized!

Due to African swine fever, a state of emergency has been declared in nine municipalities in Serbia, and Dr. Boban Đurić from the Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture says that so far around 30,000 pigs have been euthanized or died.

Đurić stated today that African swine fever has so far been confirmed in seven districts, 12 municipalities, and 58 populated places, across a total of 734 farms.

“This disease is most prevalent in the Mačva, Kolubara, Srem, and South Bačka districts, specifically the municipality of Žabalj. A state of emergency has been declared in nine municipalities, which makes it easier for local self-governments to assist the veterinary service regarding the safe disposal of carcasses, while also implementing all prescribed measures,” Đurić told TV Prva.

He stated that the African swine fever virus is extremely resistant in the external environment and explained that a microparticle is enough for the infection to spread, which is why, as he pointed out, it is difficult to fight against this disease.

He highlighted the importance of implementing biosecurity measures, which include placing disinfection barriers at facility entrances, as well as disinfecting clothing, footwear, and vehicles.

“It is also necessary to reduce any contact, any entry onto farms. Susceptible animals are wild and domestic pigs, not other animal species. This virus is not transmitted to humans or other livestock, but only to wild and domestic pigs. The virus circulates in the wild boar population, and it often happens that people who spend time in nature, most commonly hunters, accidentally come across the carcass of a dead pig and can transfer the virus with their clothes and footwear to their farm, and that is where the problem begins,” Đurić said.

He appealed to pig breeders to take maximum biosecurity measures so as not to infect the pigs on their farms.

Đurić added that he expects the situation with African swine fever to settle down given that, as he said, maximum rigorous measures have been taken.