An ASF outbreak in Choszczno County. 4,500 fattening pigs culled.

An African swine fever outbreak has been detected in the town of Suliborek, Choszczno County. Approximately 4,500 fattening pigs have been depopulated, and a protection zone and a risk zone have been designated, announced Provincial Veterinary Officer Maciej Prost.

An ASF outbreak was discovered on August 19th on a farm in Sulibork, Recz commune, Choszczno County. Veterinary services designated a 3-kilometer infection zone and a further 7-kilometer danger zone, and issued a decision to eliminate the outbreak.

"It was a herd of 4,500 fattening pigs; it has already been depopulated and disposed of. The elimination of the outbreak has been completed," Maciej Prost, Provincial Veterinary Officer in Szczecin, told PAP on Monday.

Disinfection was carried out at the farm where ASF was detected. Prost emphasized that farms in the Choszczno district will be subject to special monitoring.

All farms are being systematically visited, and tests will be conducted to ensure the disease isn't progressing. This is usually done for up to 30 days, he explained.

The ASF outbreak discovered last week is the second case of African swine fever in a relatively large breeding herd in the Recz commune. On July 29, ASF was detected on a similar farm. The animals were culled.

- These outbreaks are linked by location and family ties - Prost confirmed in an interview with PAP.

According to the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate, after testing samples from Sulibork (4,465 pigs), 12 ASF outbreaks have been detected in Poland this year. The eleventh outbreak was detected on August 12, also in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, on a small farm (19 pigs) in Bród, Chociwel Commune, Stargard County. The tenth outbreak, on August 8, which involved 15 pigs, was eliminated in Różaniec Pierwszy, Tarnogród Commune, Biłgoraj County (Lublin Voivodeship).

Earlier, on July 29, an outbreak was detected in Suliborz (1,697 pigs) in Recz commune, Choszczno County, while on July 12, the General Inspectorate of Veterinary Inspection confirmed an ASF outbreak in Samlino, Golczewo commune, Kamień County, West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Nearly 7,500 pigs were culled. On July 8, an ASF alert was raised on a farm in Chaławy (1,949 pigs), Brodnica commune, Śrem County, Greater Poland Voivodeship.

Veterinary services identified the first ASF outbreak in Poland this year in June in Sychowo, Luzino commune, Wejherowo County, Pomeranian Voivodeship. 1,310 pigs were depopulated.

According to the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate, African Swine Fever (ASF) is a rapidly spreading, contagious viral disease that affects domestic pigs, wild pigs, and wild boars. The incubation period is approximately 15 days (in the wild: 4-19 days, in acute cases: 3-4 days). The virus is resistant to low temperatures and remains infectious in blood, feces, and tissues for up to 6 months. While not a serious disease for humans, ASF causes high mortality rates in animals, reaching up to 100%.

Once an ASF outbreak is discovered, the animals and their products must be disposed of. Feed and other items the animals have come into contact with must also be disposed of. The farm must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The movement of feed, bedding, and fertilizers to and from the farm is prohibited. Local breeders are prohibited from transporting animals. Hunting is also prohibited in the designated area. Residents and breeders must follow the recommendations of state authorities, especially district veterinarians. (PAP)

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