According to the Rosselkhoznadzor, a difficult situation with the African swine fever virus (ASF) spread is recorded in 17 Russian regions. Since the beginning of 2018 outbreaks of the disease have been identified in Belgorod, Volgograd, Kaliningrad, Saratov, Vladimir, Leningrad, Orel, Nizhny Novgorod, Tver, Moscow, Novgorod, Tula, Sverdlovsk, Rostov and Ivanovo regions, Krasnodar Territory, and the Republic of Crimea.
The largest number of outbreaks is traditionally recorded in July, which is explained by the peculiarities of the content of pigs and their turnover, including in private households. During the summer period pigs are taken for fattening, including illegal trafficking in them, as a result of which, the infected livestock can get to the prosperous regions, thereby expanding the focus of infection. Failure to comply with the rules for the disposal of animals killed by ASF is a special problem and another potential source of infection.
Separately it is worth noting the rapid spread of ASF in China, alongside the Far East. The number of pigs killed in China since early August is more than 38,000. Earlier, the world's largest producer of pork, the WH Group, announced the suspension of work in China due to ASF. The cessation of the slaughterhouse was carried out by order of the authorities of the Chinese city of Zhengzhou.
Source: Sphere Publishing House.
