Epizootic ASF recognized man-made

Presumably, in the middle of May this year in the Bogu and Petropavlovsk areas of the Voronezh region, bordering with the Rostov region, there was an infection of pigs of ASF virus.

Presumably, in the middle of May this year in the Bogu and Petropavlovsk areas of the Voronezh region, bordering with the Rostov region, there was an infection of pigs of ASF virus.

According to one version, the cause of the virus - illegal transport of infected pigs agent of ASF, which has led to an almost simultaneous outbreak of the disease in many settlements (12 confirmed and 4 have not been confirmed) located in four districts bordering each of the two subjects of the Russian Federation .

In the Voronezh region just as 10iyunya in private farms of citizens reported 12 outbreaks of ASF in the Bogu and Petropavlovsk areas.

Diagnosis is confirmed by the ASF June 8 Voronezh Regional Veterinary Laboratory, in addition samples were sent to the SSI "VNIIVViM" and FGBU "ARRIAH" (Vladimir region).

The presence of the virus was confirmed in the materials collected in six LPH Bogucharsky district and six LPH Peter and Paul area. Epizootic captured five towns and two more - the diagnosis is not confirmed.

In the Rostov region on 10.06.2013, outbreaks of ASF were found in the Upper and Sholokhov districts of the Rostov region in LPH citizens and svinotovarnoy farm.

According to the Southern Regional Emergency Center of Russia, in the case of pigs Sholokhov's locked in peasant farming "Turilin" (farm Antipova) - June 7 here killed 20 pigs. On the eve of the Chief of the Veterinary Rostov region a positive test result of ASF in the area was immediately introduced a state of emergency. In the five-kilometer zone on which you want to kill all the pigs, and he is farming hamlet. Alienation is subject to 800 pigs, which are in the economy, and 20 animals, which include farm residents.

In the area of ​​the Upper corpse of dead pigs found in a landfill in the area of ​​the farm Puhlyakovsky Kazan rural settlement and on June 7. The day after confirmation of ASF, followed by the introduction of a state of emergency. The center of epizootic was in a remote area of ​​Kazan Lopatinsky, presumably here, in one of the PSF was (or is) the owner of the hidden center of ASF as solid waste in a landfill found the corpse of ASF virus-infected domestic pig. Alienation in the village to be 223 pigs, removal of animals from the population had been scheduled for June 10.

Notably, all these centers (both fields) were identified at approximately the same time. There is good reason to believe that all farms and infection occurred in a very short period of time - 2-3 days - the website Rosselkhoznadzor. The article, signed by the Deputy Minister Nikolai Vlasov noted that such a short period allows in this case to exclude infection of domestic pigs by contact with infected wild pigs - pockets of African swine fever have been man-made.

An interesting detail is that most of these smallholders - is private farms in the full sense of the term. Their owners had 1-3 pigs fattened animals for personal consumption. Such farms typically have extremely low economic activity and the minimum number of links to other farms. Consequently, the most likely routes of infection are only two:
- Iatrogenic transmission (transmission veterinarian during a visit to homesteads);
- Trade in animals or (lower probability) feed.

Currently, authorities Rosselkhoznadzor spend epizootic study, which will help to establish the true cause of infection.

Vlasov, also noted that in most of these smallholders are not kept fattening pigs of different ages and different sexes and animals, which are in the incubation period of the virus did not move in space, and they had no contact with other animals for a long time. "The owners of these farms could visit a market where trading infected animals and brought the virus to their farms on clothes, shoes, hands, or other items purchased at the market - says Nikolay Vlasov. - In this regard will be appreciated as Rosselhoznadzor owners affected and non-affected smallholders for information about visits of markets in which trade in live pigs. "

For both regions epizootic outbreak is not only a threat to existing farms and well-being of rural residents, but also affect the investment climate. Voronezh region is one of the leaders of the Central Federal District in the rate of growth of pigs. Investments in pig projects in various stages are around 60 billion rubles. In the north of the Rostov region is implementing a number of major projects in pig breeding, forage production and pork processing. ASF outbreak in pig breeding business is making unnecessary tension and lowers the investment attractiveness of regions. In 2012, the number of pigs in the Southern Federal District was reduced in comparison with 2011, the more than 20 percent.

It should also be mindful of the risk of ASF: Voronezh, Belgorod Region borders - the main supplier of pork to Russia. Central Federal District produces more than half of the pork in Russia. Formulation of a reliable barrier prevents the virus territorial disunity of Rosselkhoznadzor and reducing the powers of traffic police for inspection of transport and cargo.