August 8, 2012

Due to the spread of African swine fever, the government of Russia's Krasnodar Region has introduced a state of emergency.

The government informed Tuesday (Aug 7) in a statement on its official Web site, as cited by RIA Novosti.

The epizootic situation in the region worsened in late July and early August due to new outbreaks of the disease. In particular, five outbreaks were registered at pig farms in different regional districts.

The state of emergency envisages the interruption of any kind of transportation of pig, pork, and pork products without special documents.

On August 1, African swine fever was said to be able to spread across the country if proper measures are not taken, Sergei Dankvert, head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight, said.

Domestic outbreaks of African swine fever have been registered in 26 districts or cities since 2007, with the majority of cases registered in the Tver, Krasnodar, Volgograd, and Smolensk regions. In July, quarantine was imposed in the Tver Region.

The African swine fever virus, or ASFV, is a contagious viral disease that is potentially lethal to pigs and boars. The disease is incurable and can only be eliminated through slaughter and quarantines. It poses no health risk to humans, according to the World Organisation of Animal Health.