MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) – The measures taken in Belarus to prevent African swine fever (ASF) are exemplary, Head of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Office for Eastern Europe Kazimieras Lukauskas told journalists on 13 November, BelTA has learned.
“I think the measures taken in Belarus to prevent African swine fever are exemplary. The level of protection at Belarusian farms and pig-breeding facilities is very high. All the measures set out in our regulations are met. Individual farmers also ensure a high level of protection,” Kazimieras Lukauskas noted.
OIE specialists also studied the measures taken in Belarus with regards to wild boars. “Here we have no complains either. All the prevention measures are in place. Europe is currently facing problems with ASF. The World Organization for Animal Health, the European Union, the Customs Union have joined their efforts against the virus. Our group of international experts is working in the countries of the region, including Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland. We introduce the same measures in all these countries and believe that the situation will stabilize within the next five years,” Kazimieras Lukauskas explained.
In July 2016, Belarus will play host to a seminar for European vets. “Partaking in the forum will be representatives of 53 countries. They will discuss matters of transmission of certain diseases from wild to domestic animals,” the Head of the OIE Office for Eastern Europe said.
African swine fever is a contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild swine. The disease is transmitted via direct contact, via products made of pork, by ticks and mechanically (by transportation means, during the transportation of people and animals). No vaccine is available. The animals suspected to have the disease are slaughtered. The disease does not affect humans.
