site.btaNational Reference Laboratory Confirms Positive Test of African Swine Fever Sample from Northeast Bulgaria

104 ECONOMY - AFRICAN SWINE FEVER - OUTBREAK Amp.

National Reference Laboratory
Confirms Positive Test of
African Swine Fever Sample from Northeast Bulgaria


Sofia, September 1 (BTA) - The National Reference Laboratory has confirmed an african swine fever infection among domestic pigs in the northeastern village of Tutrakantsi in Varna Region, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) reported.

An alert was received by BFSA on August 30. Samples were taken immediately, which tested positive for african swine fever at the National Reference Laboratory. A total of seven pigs are raised in the affected site.

Measures are taken to eliminate the outbreak and limit the disease from spreading. A 3-km protection zone and a 10-km monitoring zone have been established around the outbreak sites.

The settlements falling within the zones will be inspected and data about domestic pigs and animal breeding sites will be updated. Domestic pigs will be subjected to weekly clinical examinations for african swine fever and other infectious diseases across all sites where pigs are raised.

A ban is introduced on trading, transporting and moving domestic pigs in Varna Region, except for those designated for immediate slaughter and only after a permission is granted by an official veterinarian, or pigs passing in transit.

The owners of the culled animals will be compensated under the Veterinary Medical Activity Act and the ordinance regulating the spending of funds for compensating expenses related to epizootic risks.

All animals have been put to death humanely, said Agriculture and Food Minister Roumen Porozhanov on Saturday in the coastal city of Varna. He explained that around 30 animals were to be culled initially, but their number rose to 65, because many of them were not registered. The lack of registration is a problem in many settlements, he explained. A disinfection is carried out in the village after the animals were culled. No outsiders are allowed into it until the disinfection is completed, the Minister said.

Animal fodder is among the possible means of transmitting the disease, the Minister said, adding that task forces will be convened Tuesday in the northeastern cities of Rousse, Silistra and Dobrich due to the outbreak. LI/MY

/МЙ/