#13,476
Amid persistent (albeit unconfirmed) rumors of additional outbreaks of African Swine Fever in China (primarily in the dissident press), we have a confirmation from China's Ministry of Agriculture of a second outbreak in Anhui Province - making their 6th outbreak reported in less than a month.
This time, the outbreak is in Xauncheng, about 50km south, and a little east, of Anhui's 1st reported outbreak last Thursday (see China MOA: 5th Province (Anhui) Reports Outbreak Of African Swine Fever (ASF)).While ASF does not infect humans it has the potential to cause great harm to China's pork industry, and by extension to China's economy, food supply, and potentially even its political stability.
First the (translated) announcement from the MOA:
Xuancheng Xuancheng county occurrence of African swine fever outbreak
Date: 2018-09-02 18:06 Author: Source: Agriculture and Rural Department of Public Information Office
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Press Office issued September 2, Xuancheng Xuancheng county African swine fever outbreaks occur pig.
September 2, the Ministry of agriculture and rural areas to the control center reported Chinese animal epidemic prevention, the China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center (National Center for Exotic Animal Disease Research) confirmed, Xuancheng Xuancheng county ancient springs, five-star Heung African swine fever epidemic. An ancient farm pig herds Springs 285, died 40. Five Star Township, a farm pig herds 440, died 94.
After the outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural immediately sent a steering group to Anhui Province. Local per request, launched the emergency response mechanism, to take the blockade, culling measures to deal with harmless treatment, disinfection, culling of all pigs died and sound processing. Meanwhile, the ban on all live pigs and susceptible animals and products into or out of the blockade zone. Currently, the outbreaks had been effectively disposed of.
In addition to outbreak reports, over the past couple of weeks we've looked at a number of analyses of ASF in China - and in Europe - including:
DEFRA: Update On African Swine Fever (ASF) In Eastern EU
FAO: African swine fever (ASF) threatens to spread from China to other Asian countries
EID Journal: Molecular Evolution, Diversity, and Adaptation of Influenza A(H7N9) Viruses in China
Although it's been less than a month since the first outbreak, 6 outbreaks across 5 different provinces in just under 4 weeks suggest the virus has already gained a significant foothold in China's commercial swine herds.
All of which has not only China, but also its neighbors, gearing up for what may be a lengthy, and very expensive, battle. One that has yet to be won in Eastern Europe, Africa, or Russia.
