African swine fever conquers the Balkans
First ever ASF case in Bosnia-Herzegovina has been declared last Friday. Monday it was the turn of Croatia to declare ASF in two small farms. With the two new outbreaks, the number of affected countries in Europe reached 23. It worth doing some observations.
First of all, both outbreaks are close to the Sava river. It is not the first time that the role of water is questioned in the possible routs of contamination . The last reported ASF case in the neighboring Serbia is also in not far from the Danube, with many lakes. Wild boars are favoring this areas and the first symptom of ASF is high fever. The animals will look for water, to cool down. The second observation is rather cultural. The Balkans have the largest number of backyard pigs in Europe. On countryside this pigs are frequently raised on pasture and let out to the woods, in order to eat acorn. While the wild hogs prefer the same, it is common, that the backyard sows produce some piglets with stripes. Backyard pigs are a political issue in the area and governments cannot afford to take real measures against them.
All the region is a net importer of pork. While Bosnia-Herzegovina does not have an extensive pig industry, Serbia and Croatia are in a different position. The meat industry of this countries has to step up for real measures against the disease, including control of backyard pigs and hunting areas. Currently there are another 10 suspicions of ASF in Croatia, and the area is close to some of the large pig producers. The cooperation between the 3 states on this issue is essential, but will be historically challenging. Let’s hope for the best!
Tiberiu Abraham
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