A new outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was detected in a domestic pig farm in Latvia on Tuesday, 9 September. This time, the disease affected a backyard farm with four domestic pigs in the municipality of Dāviņi in the Bauska Region, which is already under an ASF quarantine zone.
Less than three weeks ago, on 22 August, ASF was detected in another backyard farm in the same municipality, the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) said.
This is the 11th outbreak of ASF in domestic pigs in Latvia this year.
The situation is serious, warned the PVD: the risk of disease introduction into pig holdings is now particularly high. The virus is actively circulating in the wild boar population.
New test results confirming the presence of ASF virus in dead or hunted wild boar are being received weekly. This week, the number of ASF-positive boars has already exceeded 1,020. If a farm is adjacent to woods, fields, farm work, farm machinery and other vehicles, the virus can be easily introduced into the holding through footwear, clothing, equipment, transport.
The only way to protect pigs from disease is to strictly comply with biosecurity requirements, the service explained. In small holdings, the most important thing is to prevent contact between domestic pigs and their feed and wild animals: pigs must not be allowed outdoors and must not be fed on green fodder, leftover food and other uncooked plant products.
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