June 7, 2007

 

Russia alarmed by African swine fever outbreak in Georgia

 

 

The Russian federal veterinarian watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor Wednesday (Jun 6) said it was taking measures to prevent the spread to Russian territory of a pig disease outbreak in the neighbouring Zugdid region of Georgia, which has all the signs of African swine fever.

 

It appears from the statement the disease affecting pigs in Georgia hasn't been definitively diagnosed, but the statement said: "All clinical signs and pathological-anatomical effects show similarity with African swine fever."

 

No Georgian officials were available for comment.

 

African swine fever is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs caused by an Iridovirus that exhibits varying virulence between strains.

 

The virus resists inactivation, and can persist in meat up to 15 weeks, processed hams up to six months and up to one month in contaminated pens. It is endemic in most of Southern Africa, and has been reported on Europe's Iberian peninsula. Since the 1960s, outbreaks have occurred in France, Italy, Malta, Belgium, Holland, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti.

 

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