Cherkizovo suffers ASF outbreak

African swine fever (ASF) has been discovered at two of Cherkizovo’s pig fattening facilities in Russia.

The Agroresurs Voronezh LLC and Orelselprom CJSC complexes, in the Voronezh and Orel regions of Russia, are now under strict 24-hour controls in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

Aleksey Golubtsov, chief veterinary officer at the sites, said: "We have complete control over the situation."

He said that the focal points of both outbreaks had been isolated, with eradication methods now in place.

"The virus was detected in a small number of animals intended for further breeding. Animal disease control measures were undertaken at all other pork facilities of the agricultural holding and showed no signs of African swine fever. This disease is spread among animals only and does not threaten human health."

African swine fever has been present in the country since January 2014 when it was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

The last outbreak was reported in wild boar in November, in the Moskovaskaya region.