Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
google translation
Press release from the FASFC and the Service Public Wallon (SPW) (13/09/2018)
Confirming 2 wild boars that are carriers of the African swine fever virus in the municipality of Etalle (Luxembourg province). The disease is not contagious to humans. The activities of the different levels of competence are coordinated to prevent the possible spread of the virus through wild boar (regional competence) and to pig farms (federal competence). Belgium is still free from the disease in terms of pig farms
The Food Agency, the Belgian reference laboratory Scienscano and the Walloon Region have consulted today 13/09/2018 to determine which measures will be taken in Belgium as a result of the discovery of 2 wild boars that are infected with the virus that African swine (African swine fever). Combating this disease is important from the point of view of animal health and the economy, but there is no risk for humans.
The competences are divided between the regions, which are responsible for the health of wild animals, and the federal level for the health of kept pigs.
African swine fever [AVP] is a highly contagious viral disease that affects only pigs and wild boar. The disease is in no way contagious to humans. The disease can easily be transferred from one animal to another through direct contact, but also through objects (vehicle, boots, clothing, ...) or contaminated food or leftover food left behind by humans. There is no specific treatment, nor a vaccine against this viral disease. Strict measures are imposed at European and national level to prevent the spread of the disease.
AVP has been present for some years in Eastern European countries, where infections are detected both in domestic pigs and wild boar. In recent months, the virus has spread more to the West, affecting countries that were previously free. A lot has already been sensitized to this disease and a lot of communication has already taken place in Belgium and Europe at the level of pig farmers, hunters and the general public. The latest infections in Europe could be the result of leaving food left behind by travelers from contaminated areas.
Monitoring in Belgium is well organized. As a result, the recent suspicions in dead animals can also be detected. Samples of these animals were immediately sent to the national reference laboratory Sciensano. The lab has now confirmed today that the suspect wild boar is indeed infected with AVP. Therefore, control measures for wild animals are imposed by the regional services in an effective cooperation framework and preventive measures for pig farms at the federal level. Biosafety in pig farms is crucial; the FASFC ensures that it is continually applied correctly.
The situation is being taken very seriously by the relevant authorities and policy levels in Belgium and Europe. The measures are carefully planned and monitored in view of the impact on livestock farming and hunting. A national task force was set up in early 2018 in this respect. The various levels of competence will continue to work closely together in order to take the best possible preventive and control measures. The same thing happens at European level, where the necessary contacts were immediately made with the neighboring countries and the European Commission, which also immediately promised its support in the management.
The Service Public de Wallonie, SPW, prepares measures to prevent the distribution of wild boars from the contaminated zone as much as possible and makes provisions with regard to hunting.
The Department Nature et des For?ts, DNF, has already strengthened vigilance and monitoring. The public is asked to immediately inform the call center of the SPW, telephone number 1718, of all suspicious observations in nature.
The SPW reminds all hikers to strictly apply the forest code, namely the obligation to stay on the roads and paths and to keep dogs on a leash. Specific information will be passed on to the forest operators.
The SPW has also asked its agricultural services to be available to every pig farmer to minimize the potential economic consequences.
h/t Bertrand789
Press release from the FASFC and the Service Public Wallon (SPW) (13/09/2018)
Confirming 2 wild boars that are carriers of the African swine fever virus in the municipality of Etalle (Luxembourg province). The disease is not contagious to humans. The activities of the different levels of competence are coordinated to prevent the possible spread of the virus through wild boar (regional competence) and to pig farms (federal competence). Belgium is still free from the disease in terms of pig farms
The Food Agency, the Belgian reference laboratory Scienscano and the Walloon Region have consulted today 13/09/2018 to determine which measures will be taken in Belgium as a result of the discovery of 2 wild boars that are infected with the virus that African swine (African swine fever). Combating this disease is important from the point of view of animal health and the economy, but there is no risk for humans.
The competences are divided between the regions, which are responsible for the health of wild animals, and the federal level for the health of kept pigs.
African swine fever [AVP] is a highly contagious viral disease that affects only pigs and wild boar. The disease is in no way contagious to humans. The disease can easily be transferred from one animal to another through direct contact, but also through objects (vehicle, boots, clothing, ...) or contaminated food or leftover food left behind by humans. There is no specific treatment, nor a vaccine against this viral disease. Strict measures are imposed at European and national level to prevent the spread of the disease.
AVP has been present for some years in Eastern European countries, where infections are detected both in domestic pigs and wild boar. In recent months, the virus has spread more to the West, affecting countries that were previously free. A lot has already been sensitized to this disease and a lot of communication has already taken place in Belgium and Europe at the level of pig farmers, hunters and the general public. The latest infections in Europe could be the result of leaving food left behind by travelers from contaminated areas.
Monitoring in Belgium is well organized. As a result, the recent suspicions in dead animals can also be detected. Samples of these animals were immediately sent to the national reference laboratory Sciensano. The lab has now confirmed today that the suspect wild boar is indeed infected with AVP. Therefore, control measures for wild animals are imposed by the regional services in an effective cooperation framework and preventive measures for pig farms at the federal level. Biosafety in pig farms is crucial; the FASFC ensures that it is continually applied correctly.
The situation is being taken very seriously by the relevant authorities and policy levels in Belgium and Europe. The measures are carefully planned and monitored in view of the impact on livestock farming and hunting. A national task force was set up in early 2018 in this respect. The various levels of competence will continue to work closely together in order to take the best possible preventive and control measures. The same thing happens at European level, where the necessary contacts were immediately made with the neighboring countries and the European Commission, which also immediately promised its support in the management.
The Service Public de Wallonie, SPW, prepares measures to prevent the distribution of wild boars from the contaminated zone as much as possible and makes provisions with regard to hunting.
The Department Nature et des For?ts, DNF, has already strengthened vigilance and monitoring. The public is asked to immediately inform the call center of the SPW, telephone number 1718, of all suspicious observations in nature.
The SPW reminds all hikers to strictly apply the forest code, namely the obligation to stay on the roads and paths and to keep dogs on a leash. Specific information will be passed on to the forest operators.
The SPW has also asked its agricultural services to be available to every pig farmer to minimize the potential economic consequences.
h/t Bertrand789
