African swine fever was confirmed in eight bodies of wild boars that were found near Taxobeni village of Fălești district earlier this week. The animals were burned and buried and the place was disaffected.

Contacted by IPN for a comment, Vitalie Carauş, head of the National Road Safety Agency’s Animal Health and Welfare, said that this is an extension of the outbreak reported in the natural reserve “Pădurea Domnească” at the end of last December. Taxobeni is near the infected area.

The number of wild boards found dead in the reserve so far this year rose to 51. The area will be in quarantine foe a year. The natural reserve “Pădurea Domnească” is close to the border with Romania that was more seriously struck by African swine fever. As the wild boars migrate, the Prut River is not a barrier for them to reach Moldova.

Outbreaks of African swine fever this year have been also reported near Costuleni village of Ungheni district and in Cneazevca village of Leova district.

African swine fever is not dangerous to humans, but spreads swiftly among pigs. If the virus is confirmed, the animals are killed to prevent the spread of infection.