After that African plague pig confirmed on a large farm in Hrtkovci, a state of emergency was declared in the municipality of Ruma, doc cattle breeders in Srem, Mačva and the surrounding areas they are still afraid.
Ljiljana Ivanjac from the Veterinary Administration warns that the disease has been present in Serbia for almost five years and is causing great economic damage to animal husbandry, but that there is no danger to humans:
"A person does not get sick from this disease and it cannot be transmitted either by direct contact or by consuming meat," Ivanjac emphasized for RTS.
Appeal to livestock farmers
As there is still no vaccine, the only measure to stop the spread of the virus is the euthanasia of infected animals. "It is also necessary to remove animals that were in contact with infected farms in order to prevent further spread of the virus," explained Ivanjac.
The most threatened areas are currently Srem, Mačva, part of the Kolubara district and Belgrade. The virus can be transmitted through shoes, clothes, vehicles, equipment, but also through contact with domestic and wild pigs.
"We appeal to pig owners to keep animals closed in pens and to immediately report any suspicion of disease to the veterinary service. We must not wait, because a quick reaction is one of the key ways to fight against African swine fever," said Ivanjac.
Over three thousand pigs were killed
The serious situation remains in the Macvan district. In the municipality of Vladimirci, the virus was confirmed this season on 107 farms in nine settlements, and around 2.700 pigs were removed. In the village of Provo, the disease was registered in 73 households, where more than 1.800 head were euthanized.
"The situation is still serious, but lately it has been a bit more favorable because fewer suspicions of African swine fever have been reported. I appeal to producers to consistently implement biosecurity measures and avoid illegal trade, because the virus spreads most easily through the transport of infected animals," Slobodan Vujinović from the Veterinary Specialist Institute told RTS.
In about a month and a half, approximately 3.200 pigs were euthanized in the area of Šabac and Vladimirovac. Experts warn that the African plague virus is among the most resistant in veterinary practice and that the suppression of the disease will depend above all on the consistent implementation of measures.
Source: RTS
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