European research reveals additional methods to aid ASF control

Fencing alone will not control ASF and insects could contribute to its spread in Europe.

These are the main conclusions of a new report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

However, when applied at the right time, adapted to changing epidemiology and maintained in good condition, fencing can help prevent the spread of ASF. It is more effective when combined with culling and removal of poultry carcasses.

In the EFSA study, no consistent impact on disease spread was found from wild boar population density. There was insufficient evidence for the authors to assess the effectiveness of oral vaccines for controlling wild boar populations.

It is generally believed that ASF virus is spread mainly through direct contact between susceptible species (pigs). Considering the potential role of insect vectors, the EFSA study did not find sufficient evidence to establish the involvement of biting flies, but ticks have not been implicated in the spread of infection in Europe over the past 10 years.

To protect domestic pigs, the EFSA study concluded that strict biosecurity remains key to preventing the virus from entering farms. Management measures that can support control efforts include the safe storage of bedding, the use of insect-proof nets and limiting the spread of pig manure from other farms when ASF virus is circulating.

3 European countries report ASF in domestic pigs

A total of 12 new outbreaks were confirmed in Moldova, Romania and Serbia over the past week, bringing their national case totals to two, six and four, respectively.

According to the latest update of the European Commission's (EC) Animal Disease Information System (as of December 11), the system tracks listed animal diseases in EU member states and neighbouring countries.

More details on these developments are provided in an official notification sent to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

The latest outbreaks in Romania occurred in domestic pig herds, each consisting of between four and 64 animals – a total of 162 pigs.

An outbreak was reported by WOAH by Moldovan authorities. The outbreak involved a herd of only four pigs in a village.

As of December 11, there had been a total of 731 ASF outbreaks in pigs in 15 European countries this year, according to the EC system.

The countries hardest hit by the disease this year are Serbia (297 cases so far) and Romania (205 cases).

In comparison, 16 states in the region recorded a total of 4,513 ASF outbreaks of this type with the EC in the entire year 2023.

Total number of European wild boar cases reaches 7,000

During the period from 5 to 11 December, 10 countries in the region confirmed to the EC additional cases of the disease in their wild boar populations.

Recording the most additional outbreaks that week were Bulgaria (126), Poland (113), Germany (49) and Hungary (30).

As of December 11, 21 countries monitored by the EC had recorded a total of 6,961 ASF outbreaks in their wild boar populations.

The most cases recorded this year were in wild boars in Poland (2,002 outbreaks), Italy (1,174), Latvia (857), Germany (808) and Lithuania (519).

During the whole of 2023, the 20 countries monitored by the EC confirmed a total of more than 7,900 outbreaks in this category.

South Korea confirms 11th outbreak of African swine fever this year

About 5,500 pigs are expected to be culled after the ASF virus was detected at a commercial facility in the northern part of the country in Gyeonggi Province.

The affected farm is located 25 kilometers southwest of Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported. This brings the total number of domestic outbreaks of the disease so far this year to 11.

As is standard practice in South Korea, the Ministry of Agriculture immediately announced a 48-hour halt to all pig-related transportation in the affected county (Yangju) and six neighboring counties/cities to conduct intensive disinfection.

So far this year, just over 50,000 pigs have been directly affected by ASF outbreaks in South Korea. In 2023, 10 outbreaks were confirmed on farms, affecting around 60,600 animals. Since the country's first cases were detected in 2019, 49 farms have been infected with the virus.

The most recent ASF outbreak in South Korea began in early November.

ASF developments in South Asia

In India, local media reported new outbreaks in two states.

A cull order has been issued in the southern state of Kerala after the virus was detected at two farms in Kottayam district. The order covers both infected facilities and any other pigs within a 1-kilometer radius, India TV News reported last week. It also bans the sale and distribution of pork and animal feed, as well as live pigs, in or outside the infected area.

Meanwhile, ASF continues to spread in the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram.

Since late November, the disease has affected another village in the state, and many animals have died and been culled due to ASF. According to the Times of India on December 11, 14,873 pigs have died and 24,150 have been culled since the virus returned to Mizoram in February. These numbers have increased by about 70 and 90, respectively, since early December. Cases have been detected in 258 villages.

Also in South Asia, pig farmers in Sri Lanka have been feeling financial pressure since the first ASF outbreak in the country in late October.

In recent days, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture has pledged to help those affected restart their businesses, the Daily Mirror reported. A Cabinet Paper has been drafted to facilitate concessional lending facilities for those who may have stopped production due to the pandemic.

Further outbreaks in Malaysia, Indonesia

Disease control measures have been put in place in the eastern Malaysian state of Sarawak.

This comes after the detection of ASF virus in some unspecified pig farms in Serian district, according to Malay Mail. According to a senior official, other districts in the state remain free of the disease and have ample supply of pork for the upcoming festive season.

According to the latest update of the national animal health information system, several cases of ASF have been detected in Indonesia.

The latest cases were added to the worst-hit East Nusa Tenggara province, bringing the total number of cases this year to 363 and the number of infected pigs to 6,490.

Source: https://www.mard.gov.vn/Pages/nghien-cuu-cua-chau-au-tiet-lo-cac-phuong-phap-bo-sung-de-ho-tro-kiem-soat-asf.aspx