International disease monitoring, January to March 2012
- H. Roberts and
- M. Lopez
- Veterinary and Science Policy Advice Team, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Defra, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
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African swine fever continues to spread in western Russia
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Bluetongue virus serotype 8 risk declines in Europe as more countries declare freedom
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Foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks represent new incursions in Egypt and Libya
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Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in wild bird die-offs and poultry outbreaks in Asia
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Emergence of Schmallenberg virus in ruminants in northern Europe
These are among matters discussed in the international disease monitoring report for January to March 2012, prepared by Defra's Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency
African swine fever
Africa
South Africa has reported 18 outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in the Mpumulanga and Gauteng regions. South Africa has an ASF control zone in place covering Limpopo and parts of Mpumalanga and the north-west regions. The movement of pigs, warthogs and their products from the zone is controlled by permits and, within the zone, pig farming is allowed only if the farms are surrounded by double game fences. The outbreaks were all reported on backyard pig farms outside the control zone and were all connected to a single property. All infected pigs were euthanased.
Europe
Outbreaks of ASF in wild boar and domestic pigs were reported across several regions in Sardinia in what appears to have been a breakdown of disease control measures. The authorities have been carrying out checks for on-farm biosecurity to prevent contact between wild boar and domestic pigs, which was the likely cause of the disease outbreaks. During the quarter, there were 24 outbreaks of ASF in domestic pigs and 13 cases in wild boar.
In the run-up to the Olympic Games, Defra's International Disease Monitoring team is producing a monthly bulletin on equine diseases in the EU and North America. The aim is to ensure that all interested parties are kept informed of any import issues associated with the games. See www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/monitoring/poa/ for further information.
Russia …
