An outbreak of African swine fever was reported at a commercial pig farm located on the outskirts of Roscani village of Anenii Noi district. The presence of the virus was confirmed by laboratory tests in samples collected from pigs. Representatives of the National Food Safety Agency told IPN that the farm has about 65,000 pigs.
The Commission for Emergency Situations of Anenii Noi district urgently convened and approved a series of measures to swiftly eradicate the African swine fever outbreak and to prevent the spread of the disease. Also, notifications of the outbreak of African swine fever were sent to the competent authorities of Moldova and the European Union, the World Organization for Animal Health, as well as other foreign partners.
The Agency's specialists note that owners of pigs and commercial farms can receive compensation if their animals are affected by the disease. The compensation is determined according to the market price of the animal at the time of slaughter, taking into account the age, weight and genetic value.
The Agency calls on pig owners to urgently inform the local food safety subdivisions, veterinarians or local authorities in case of illness and death of animals or detection of wild boar carcasses. Pig owners are also asked not to give food waste to pigs to eat and to comply with the minimum biosecurity requirements.
Citizens are urged not to buy pork food products from neighboring countries in order to bring them to the Republic of Moldova as they will be confiscated and destroyed.
About 30 outbreaks of swine fever mostly in domestic pigs have been confirmed in Moldova so far this year.
African swine fever is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boars, but poses no danger to humans. However, the impact on the livestock industry is major and the expansion of outbreaks can lead to economic losses and disruption to pork supplies.
