October 4, 2007
African Swine Fever a growing threat in Caucasus region: FAO
African Swine Fever (ASF) remains deeply entrenched in Georgia and has recently also hit northern Armenia and the outskirts of the capital Yerevan, according to the FAO.
ASF is a highly contagious virus infection of pigs that is usually lethal and is endemic in domestic and wild pigs in most of sub-Saharan Africa and Italy. The disease can wipe out entire pig populations and there are currently no vaccines or drugs available to prevent or control the infection.
It is certain that the epidemic in Georgia is the source of the outbreaks in Armenia, FAO said.
The spread of the African Swine Fever virus to the Caucasus region poses a very serious animal health risk and could lead to a dramatic situation, said FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech.
The virus could become endemic in the Caucasus and could make its way to other regions like the EU, Russia, the Ukraine and other countries, he added.
African Swine Fever was confirmed in Georgia in early June 2007, the first time the virus occurred in the Caucasus region.
One possible source of contamination is improperly disposed waste from international ships carrying contaminated meat, the FAO said.
Since then, the virus has rapidly spread throughout Georgia, with 52 of 65 districts being currently affected. More outbreaks are likely, FAO warned.
More than 68 000 pigs have died of the virus or been culled.
Georgia has around 500 000 pigs kept in backyard farms which are usually allowed to roam freely, which contributes to the spread of the disease.
In Armenia, outbreaks are on the rise and it seems likely that the virus is spreading.
All pig units must be regarded as being at risk, a recent joint mission of the European Community, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to Armenia warned.
If both countries do not control the virus, there is a real risk that they might lose most of their pig population to ASF, the FAO warned.
