July 2, 2007

Swine fever spreads in US' Georgia state
 

More than 30,000 pigs died and a total of 22,000 pigs have been culled already as African swine fever continues to stretch in 52 out of 65 districts in the US state of Georgia.

Controlling animal movement and slaughtering infected pigs is the only way to prevent the disease from spreading to healthy animals, wildlife and even local ticks, according to UN Food and Agriculture Organization. 

But Georgia is at risk of losing a big percentage of its pig population in the coming months if it would not immediately step up measures to control the disease, the agency said. Neighbouring countries have not reported outbreaks, but nations that share borders with Georgia should be on the alert, it added.

The state --which has 500,000 pigs in backyards and small farms -- said outbreaks began in end-April in 10 regions across the country.