ZDK: REGISTERED CASE OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

ZENICA, JANUARY 18 (ONASA) – The first case of African swine fever was registered in the area of the Zenica-Doboj canton, on a farm in the municipality of Žepče, in the town of Goliješnica.
As we were told by the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs, this is also the first case of the appearance of this disease in the canton. All veterinary services (veterinary inspection and authorized veterinary stations) are actively involved in the implementation of prescribed control measures aimed at suppressing, early detection and preventing the spread of this disease.
African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease that affects only domestic and wild pigs and is not dangerous for humans or other animals.
Pig mortality from this disease can reach up to 100 percent and therefore represents a serious risk for the pig farming sector, the wild boar population and the environment.
“Wild and domestic pigs can become infected with each other through direct contact, especially through the blood of an infected pig. Pigs can also become infected by consuming insufficiently thermally processed pork products, carrion or drink. Infection can also occur indirectly, through contaminated tools and equipment (clothing , shoes, knives, means of transport, etc.)”, they tell us from the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs ZDK.
ASK is manifested by different clinical signs. Loss of appetite, recumbency and depression usually occur, and pigs die quickly and suddenly. Other clinical signs rarely appear: depression, loss of body weight, bleeding on the skin (tips of the ears, tail, legs, chest and abdominal region), impaired movement and abortions of sows. Clinical signs are more difficult to observe in wild boars.
The most important measures are recommended: strict adherence to regulations on marking, moving and traffic of animals, all pig owners must ensure that domestic pigs are kept in a way that completely prevents any direct or indirect contact of domestic pigs with wild animals, grazing pigs is prohibited and the release of pigs in open space, unless the pigs are kept in an area surrounded by a double fence, it is necessary to report to the veterinarian any pig that shows signs of disease, the death of domestic pigs and found dead wild pigs, it is mandatory to test organ samples of dead domestic and wild pigs in order to rule them out ASK and pig owners must ensure the harmless disposal of by-products created during the slaughter of pigs for their own needs in accordance with special regulations.