Friday, September 21, 2018

China: MOA Announces 2 New ASF Outbreaks (Jilin Province, Inner Mongolia)













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With today's announcement Jilin Province becomes the 8th Chinese Province or Territory to report an outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) since the virus was first reported in country in early August.
While not a zoonotic risk, the greater spread of ASF has the potential to seriously disrupt China's massive pork industry, impact its economy, and potentially even affect its political stability. 
A small measure of these concerns, in recent weeks we've seen attempts by officials to clamp down on public discussion of outbreaks and the burying of outbreak reports 3 levels deep on the MOA site (Home  >  public  >  Emergency Management  >  epidemic released). 

Today's brief (translated) announcement from the MOA describes the first outbreak in Jilin Province and the 3rd from Inner Mongolia. 
The South African pig plague occurred in Nanzizi Town, Gongzhuling City, Jilin Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Date: 2018-09-21 17:55 Author: Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Press Office
The Information Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was released on September 21, and a pig swine epidemic occurred in Nanzizi Town, Gongzhuling City, Jilin Province, and the Kerqin Right Wing Banner of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

On September 17, an abnormality in pigs was found in a farm in Nanxunzi Town, Gongzhuling City, Jilin Province, and unexplained death occurred on September 19. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region discovered the Xing'an League in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during the investigation of African swine fever. A farmer of Horqin right-wing Zhongqi died of unexplained death. 
On September 20, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs received a report from the China Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center. The Chinese Animal Health and Epidemiology Center (National Center for Animal Diseases and Diseases) confirmed that the unidentified death of the above-mentioned pigs was caused by African swine fever.
There were 484 live pigs in the farms in Nanxiezi Town, Gongzhuling City, Jilin Province, with 56 heads and 56 deaths. The farmers in the Xing'an League, Kerqin, right-wing Zhongqi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, had 138 live pigs with 23 diseases and 22 deaths. head.
Immediately after the outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs sent a steering group to the local area. The local government has started the emergency response mechanism as required, and adopted measures such as blockade, culling, harmless treatment, disinfection, etc., to treat all the sick and culled pigs harmlessly. At the same time, all live pigs and susceptible animals and products are prohibited from entering or leaving the blockade. At present, the above epidemic has been effectively disposed of.

The UK, along with the rest of Western Europe, continues to watch the spread of ASF across Eastern Europe and its recent incursions into Belgium with considerable concern (see UK: DEFRA Preliminary Assessment Of ASF Reported In Belgium). 
Recent territorial leaps by ASF around the globe, however, are a reminder that this agricultural disease can arrive from many different  regions. And that to control it, nations will have to work together.
In that vein, we have a brief report on Chinese MOA officials meeting with British Chief Veterinary Officer Kristin Middelmis on ASF.
Zhang Zhongqiu Meets with British Chief Veterinary Officer Middlelmis
 
Date: 2018-09-21 17:19 Author: Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Press Office 


On the afternoon of September 19, Zhang Zhongqiu, the country's chief veterinarian, met with visiting British Chief Veterinary Officer Kristin Middelmis in Beijing to exchange views on deepening cooperation in animal health.

Zhang Zhongqiu introduced the situation of prevention and control of new swine fever in Africa. The Chinese government launched the emergency response mechanism for the first time, and actively took measures such as blockade, culling and harmless treatment, and timely notified relevant organizations to society and international organizations. epidemic. Zhang Zhongqiu suggested further strengthening the Sino-British animal disease prevention and control technology and policy exchanges, and supporting the veterinary laboratories of both sides to strengthen technical exchanges and cooperation through joint research, personnel exchanges, postgraduate training, and academic seminars. Animal health is developing together.

Middelmis agreed with the Chinese side and introduced the dynamics of African swine fever in Europe. He expressed his willingness to cooperate closely with China in the field of detection and prevention.