African swine fever outbreak detected in Lovech province

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (FSA) detected an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the land of the village of Karlukovo, Lovech province, in Northern Central Bulgaria. Veterinary inspectors found a discarded carcass of a domestic pig without an identification mark. Immediate action was taken, samples were taken for testing and the results proved positive for ASF, the Ministry of Agriculture's press office said on August 10.

A 3-kilometre protection zone and a 10-kilometre surveillance zone around the outbreak have been established, which includes the villages of Lukovit, Petrevene, Todorichene, Rumyantsevo, Belentsi, Duben, Batultsi, Dubravata, Oreshene, Dobrevtsi and Zlatna Panega, as well as the villages of Kunino and Stoyanovtsi in the Vratsa province.

Measures have been taken to control and eradicate the disease in accordance with the rules of European and national legislation. Cleaning and repeated disinfection of the site where the carcass was found have been carried out.

An epizootic survey and monitoring of movements of domestic pigs associated with the locality is to be carried out 35 days before the disease was detected.

The food safety agency reminds that it is essential that keepers comply with the rules on disease prevention. All cases of sick and dead pigs must be reported immediately.

Source: BGNES