Moscow - The spreading of African swine fever (ASF) in the wild, by wild pigs, is a threat to the epizootic security of Ukraine, Belarus and the European Union, the Russian veterinary and phytosanitary oversight service Rosselkhoznadzor said.
“A further spreading of the disease in the wild may broaden the infected zone and threaten the epizootic security of Ukraine, Belarus and the European Union. Wild pigs could bring the infection to the European Union via the southern and northern routes,” Rosselkhoznadzor said after a meeting chaired by the service’s deputy head Yevgeny Nepoklonov on Saturday.
The discussion focused on urgent measures to contain the epidemic, primarily in the Yaroslavl and Rostov regions, including the culling of wild pigs, the main carriers of the disease. The Yaroslavl region could have been infected by wild pigs from Tver region, where emergency measures are being taken.
Instances have been uncovered when animal deaths were concealed, in the Rostov region, for instance.
The damage done on Russia by African swine fever over the past five years is estimated at 25 billion rubles, Rosselkhoznadzor said.
