August 29, 2018

UN warns that China's ASF epidemic could impact bordering neighbours

After the announcement of China's fourth African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has issued a warning that the epidemic could spread to neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia or the Korean Peninsula.

Over the course of one month, China has reported ASF outbreaks in four separate provinces. According to the FAO, the distances between each outbreak – spreading up to 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) apart – highlighted the likeliness of the virus spreading to other Asian countries at any time.

"The diverse geographical spread of the outbreaks in China have raised fears that the disease will move across borders to neighbouring countries of Southeast Asia or the Korean Peninsula where trade and consumption of pork products are also high," FAO said in a news release.

Although ASF has no direct threat to humans, it can possibly devastate China's crucial pork industry. At present, there are no effective vaccinations to protect live pigs from contracting the virus.

Being the world's largest pork producer, China accounts for about half of the world's swine population, with a total of 500 million heads. Pork makes up for more than 60% of animal protein consumed in the country.

As part of its preventive measures, China has culled 24,000 pigs and imposed strict quarantine and disinfection efforts in hopes of stamping out the virus.

ASF outbreaks have also been reported in the American and European Union regions, specifically the Baltics, Poland and Romania.

While investigators have yet to determine the source of the latest outbreak, the virus spreading through China was more likely due to the movement of pig products rather than live animals, Juan Lubroth, chief veterinarian, clarified.

The FAO also shared that they are working closely with authorities in China and neighbouring countries to control the outbreak. But a complete shutdown of the movement of pigs and pork products could undermine the control measures as it can force illegal transportation methods instead.
 

Source: HERALD-WHIG