Announced by Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Makis Voridis, the outbreak was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory in a dead fattening pig from a backyard farm in the Serres region.
The confirmation prompted the Greek authorities to implement measures including movement control and surveillance, quarantine procedures, destruction of animal products and disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste. One animal on the farm was confirmed to have died from the disease however a further 31 animals were destroyed as a precautionary measure.
In a statement to reporters, Minister Voridis said: “Unfortunately, it appeared in our country. We are on alert, we are on standby, but we are also absolutely ready to act as appropriate to contain the disease from spreading and protect our livestock.”
A case of ASF was also recently confirmed in Moldova in the Taxobeni, Falesti region. The disease has been confirmed in numerous Asian countries, with China particularly affected by the epidemic.
