Switzerland reports more brucellosis outbreaks in pigs

The Swiss veterinary authorities have reported a further case of brucellosis in pigs to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The veterinary authority in Switzerland sent Follow up Report No. 4 to OIE dated October 26.

It gives details of four pigs on a farm in Bernex in the canton of Geneva infected with brucellosis. The outbreak started on October 2. All four animals have since been destroyed. All pigs were purchased from the index outbreak.

Preliminary analysis shows the agent to be Brucella suis of the biovar 2, which is known to occur in wild boar in the region.

The first reported case of brucellosis in the country started on September 9 at Aire-la-Ville in the canton of Geneva, when 39 free-range pigs were affected. A week later, five pigs were affected at Meyrin, also near Geneva. The affected animals at the farm had also been purchased from the index outbreak.