African Swine Fever confirmed in Belarus

The country’s chief veterinary officer, Dr Yury Pivavarchyk, submitted a report to the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) last week, confirming that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) had confirmed the presence of the disease on a farm in the village of Chapun, in the Lelyukinskiy district.

According to the report, one pig died from the disease, with a further 15 culled to prevent the outbreak from spreading. Authorities have also implemented control measures including quarantine, movement control, disinfection of the infected premises and increased control of wildlife reservoirs.

This is the first time authorities in Belarus have officially reported the presence of ASF, although there have been fears that the disease has been circulating in the country for some time.

Ukraine, which imposed temporary restrictions on pork from Belarus over ASF fears in May, has now imposed a total ban on all pigs and pork products from the country, including feed and genetic material. Russia’s veterinary authorities have also imposed a temporary ban on pigs and pork products from Belarus.