#13,727
In the last week of October, China's southern Guizhou province reported their first 4 outbreaks of African Swine Fever - but in the 6 weeks since, we've heard no new reports.
Today China's MOA reports a new outbreak in Guizhou, along with another outbreak in Shaanxi Province, which reported their first outbreak only a week ago.Based on OIE reports, ASF reports from China appear to be lagging anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks after an outbreak is detected, and we've really no good idea of how effective reporting and surveillance - particularly from the more remote areas - really are.
This report from China's MOA:
The detection of African swine fever in the Shenmu City of Shaanxi Province and the Baiyun District of Guiyang City, Guizhou Province
Date: 2018-12-10 11:26 Author: Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Press Office
The Information Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was released on December 10, and the African swine fever epidemic was detected in Shenmu City, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province and Baiyun District, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province.
At 18:00 on December 9, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs received a report from the China Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center and was diagnosed by the China Center for Animal Health and Epidemiology (National Center for Animal Disease Research).
A farmer in Shenmu City, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, Guizhou Province A farmer in the Baiyun District of Guiyang City in the province has detected the African swine fever epidemic.
- Up to now, there are 33 pigs in the farms of Shenmu City, with 19 diseases and 19 deaths.
- There are 26 live pigs in the Baiyun District, with 5 heads and 5 deaths.
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 pigs and their products are prohibited from being transferred out of the blockade, and pigs are prohibited from being transported into the blockade. At present, the above measures have been implemented.
While ASF does not pose a direct threat to human health, it can be devastating to pork producers, and China is both the largest consumer and producer of pork in the world.
The continued uncontrolled spread of the virus could seriously disrupt China's economy, exports, and food security in an already stressed region of the world.Although ASF has never been reported in North America - given the recent spread of the virus to China, and the return of CSF (Classical Swine Fever) to Japan - the potential exists for their importation from China, Europe, or Africa.
The USDA has released a new African Swine Fever Factsheet that discusses their preparations for a possible introduction of the virus into this country.
(Excerpt)
Keeping ASF Out
Because of the concern over ASF, USDA recently reviewed and further strengthened its longstanding stringent protections against the spread of the disease.These include:
- Collaborating with states, industry and producers to ensure everyone follows on-farm biosecurity and best practices (including for garbage feeding in states where that is allowed);
- Restricting imports of pork and pork products from affected countries; and
- Working with CBP staff at ports of entry to increase passenger and baggage screening for prohibited products from affected countries.
