Alarm has signaled to the Health Services of Central Macedonia, after the detection of cases African swine fever in the Regional Unit of Serres.

With an announcement issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine of the Region of Central Macedonia, it informs that they were determined by the competent Veterinary services Theprohibited zones, protection and surveillance zones as well as the measures applied to them.

“It is recalled that African swine fever is not transmitted to humans, it is not a public health problem, but it is an infectious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, with serious economic consequences for pig farming and the agricultural economy of the country,” the relevant announcement emphasizes.

From Department of Animal Health and Veterinary MedicineMedicines and Applications of the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine of the Region of Central Macedonia, the following is announced:

“Following the confirmed cases of African swine fever in N.W. part of the Regional Unit (PE) of Serres, the prohibited zones, the protection and surveillance zones as well as the measures applied to them were determined by the competent Veterinary services.

With purpose the prevention of spread of African Swine Fever, in addition to other measures, the faithful implementation of biosecurity measures as specified in Annex III of Executive Regulation (EU) 594/2023 and in Article 5 of YA 1102/182415/2021 is considered imperative.

  • The use of food residues for feeding pigs is prohibited and the removal of animal by-products must be done in accordance with Regulation (EC) no. 1069/2009.
  • Contact between the holding’s pig(s) and pigs from other holdings or wild boars is prohibited. Pigs must be kept in such a way as to ensure that there is no direct or indirect contact with pigs from other holdings or with pigs outside the premises or with wild boars.
  • It is forbidden for the farm’s pigs to come into contact with any part of a wild boar carcass (including hunted or dead wild boar / meat or its by-products).
  • The owner (or person in charge of the pigs) must take appropriate sanitary measures, such as changing clothes and shoes when entering and leaving the pig farm. Disinfection must be carried out at the entrance to the pig farm and at the entrances to the buildings.
  • Any contact of hunters with the farm’s pigs is prohibited within 48 hours after the hunting activity.
  • It is forbidden to enter the pig farm for people who are not related to it, while records of people and vehicles entering the farm must be kept.
  • It is prohibited to feed pigs using fresh grass or fruit from areas where cases of ASF have been recorded, unless they have been treated to inactivate the ASF virus or have been stored in areas inaccessible to wild boar for at least 30 days before from feeding.
  • It is prohibited to use straw for littering pigs from areas where cases of ASF have been recorded, unless it has been treated to inactivate the ASF virus or has been stored in areas inaccessible to wild boar for at least 90 days before the use.
  • Farm buildings must be constructed in such a way that wild boars or other animals (e.g. dogs) cannot enter them.
  • The keeping and accommodation of pigs outside fenced areas is prohibited.

Additional biosecurity requirements for Systematic Pig Farms in addition to the above:

1. To define clean and unclean areas in pig farms as well as procedures for their use by staff.

2. There should be procedures for the disinfection of the building facilities, equipment and vehicles as well as for the observance of hygiene rules by the staff.

3. To ensure the appropriate separation of the production chambers.

4. It is forbidden to transport and raise pigs by the workers in their houses.

5. There should be an established system for the management of dead animals/animal by-products as well as a system for disinfestation/mycicide on the farm.

6. There should be a strong fence around the perimeter of the pig farm (concrete sill 0.5 m deep and strong mesh or wall without gaps or holes 2 m high).

7. It is recommended that workers on pig farming farms avoid hunting. Otherwise, any contact with the pigs is prohibited within 48 hours after the hunting activity.

8. Under the responsibility of the owner/manager of the farm, there should be continuous information for all employees of the pig farming farm about APH and training regarding the biosecurity measures that must be observed.