February 20, 2014
Poland reports first case of African swine fever
Poland reported the discovery of the first African swine fever (ASF) case in the history of the country, when a wild boar was first suspected of being infected by the ASF virus on February 13th.
The report was made by the general veterinary inspectorate of Poland's ministry of agriculture and rural development (VARSOVIE) to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on February 17th.
Laboratory tests conducted by Poland's National Veterinary Research Institute shows positive result that the wild boar is infected with the African Swine Fever virus. The source of outbreak is unknown or inconclusive.
Current measures taken include the control of wildlife reservoirs, movement control inside the country, screening, the prohibition of vaccination and prohibition of treatment of affected animals. As the event is in fact circumscribed to a zone, zoning will also be implemented.
The discovery of the ASF virus comes at a time when Poland's meat industry suffered huge losses due to Russia's recent restrictions on pork imports from the EU in late January, following the recent outbreak of ASF in Lithuania.
In 2013, pork exports from the country to Russia and Belarus amounted to 85,000 tonnes, with a total value of PLZ800 million (US$264 million).
"The ban on EU pork imports to the countries of the Customs Union has caused a 15-20% drop in prices for pork in Poland," said Witold Choinski, chairman of the Polish Association of Meat Producers (Polskie Mieso).
As Poland has no large alternative markets to which it can export pork, the restrictions may result in oversupply on the domestic market and a further drop in prices.
Meanwhile, a total of nine wild boar deaths were confirmed in the Rostov and Tula regions of western Russia due to ASF. While African Swine Fever is not dangerous to humans, but it is one of the most devastating viruses for wild boar and pigs.
