Mystery pig disease strikes western Georgia

[Treyfish]

Hat-tip Avian Phlu:tiphat: Mystery pig disease strikes western Georgia Friday, May 11[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif], 2007, #087 (1354)[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]By David Matsaberidze[/FONT]<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=237 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Some 3000 pigs have died
in Western Georgia[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Over 3000 pigs have dropped dead over the last 3 weeks in the provinces of Guria and Samegrelo in western Georgia. Locals are concerned of a possible pig epidemic; representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture say "there is no reason to worry". [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Rustavi 2 reports that the 3000 dead pigs have been dumped into local rivers by farmers. The TV station also reports that infected meat is being sold at markets in Samegrelo. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Head of the National Service of Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Levan Orkoshneli told The Messenger on May 10, "Information was spread erroneously: the widespread disease is not a 'pig plague'."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]He explains that they have not identified exactly what the disease is but they suspect it is a particular kind of virus that attacks a pig's (or other animal's) immune system making the animal vulnerable to disease. Orkoshneli explained that the virus spread quickly because of a lack of sanitary and hygienic conditions. He says this kind of virus is common in Europe.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Orkoshneli assures that the disease cannot spread to humans. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]According to Orkoshneli, "rumours spread as if the disease was African swine fever, which is just not true. African swine fever is much more dangerous, having significant and deadly consequences". [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]He said this has only been going on for two or three weeks and has "only" affected 3000 pigs so far, therefore no one should worry about it "as it is not an epidemic yet".[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Guram, a pig farmer from the Lanchkhuti district of Guria told The Messenger that the first case of the disease appeared not a few weeks ago on his farm, but a few months ago. "The disease first appeared on my farm in February. In February, 155 of my pigs died."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]He said his farm is located near the River Pitchori, 15 km from Samtredia. He says his farm is absolutely isolated from other farms and animals and says he has "no idea" how his pigs could have become infected.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Guram says he buried his dead pigs rather than throwing them into the river. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Rustavi 2 reports that measures to disinfect the area have already begun in Zugdidi, a district in Samegrelo where the largest number of the pigs died. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Press officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Veriko Gulua, told The Messenger, "As a result of the numerous incidents in various villages of Guria and Samegrelo provinces, special mobile units were created, staffed with professional veterinarians, to conduct complex sanitation measures to disinfect the animals and the area. A large-scale disinfection of pig farms and nearby territories has already been undertaken in order to eliminate further infection and [the disease's] transformation into a pandemic."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection Department is calling on the population to keep domestic animals isolated and keep their living conditions clean. They are also telling people to follow proper procedures when storing and processing their meat. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]But residents' fears appear not to be assuaged, as many are not convinced the government is doing enough to address the problem. One resident told Rustavi 2, "the land is covered with dead pigs and there is no relief in sight." :tiphat: [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/1354_may_11_2007/n_1354_3.htm
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[Treyfish]

Re: Mystery pig disease strikes western Georgia

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სოფლის მეურნეობის სამინისტრო ღორის ცირკო-ვირუსის საწინააღმდეგო ღონისძიებებს განაგრძობს
<!-- <-- title here -->12 მაისი 2007, 15:13 შექმნილია მობილური ჯგუფები, რომლებიც ეპიდემიის გავრცელების ზონაში დაღუპულ საქონელს დამარხავენ. :tiphat: I cannot translate this article, dated today.The pic shows a backhoe and plenty of bio suits.Any help?

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http://www.imedinews.ge/ge

 

[hawkeye]

Re: Mystery pig disease strikes western Georgia

African swine fever in Georgia
Web posted: June 12, 2007
GEORGIA: European Community Veterinary Emergency Team together with FAO and OIE sent to help in disease control.

A severe outbreak of African swine fever has been recorded in Georgia.

The authorities in the country have officially notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of 11 outbreaks in pigs - first occurrence of the disease in northern Europe .

Its occurrence in Georgia was unexpected and the way the disease has spread into the country is currently unknown.

The disease does not affect humans. However, it is a major animal health problem as it is highly contagious, cause mass mortality of pigs and is of major importance in the international trade of animals and animal products.

Now a joint OIE/FAO/EC expert mission has been deployed to Georgia. The team is composed by experts proposed by the Member States and include experts in the fields of animal disease epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention and control.

The aim of the team is to provide technical and scientific support to respond rapidly to animal disease outbreaks in the EU and in third countries.

The joint EU-OIE-FAO mission team is already in Georgia and has already started its work to support the Georgian authorities to control ASF and establish further needs that the country might have in terms of international help.

The EU member of the team operating in Georgia is Dr. Domenico Rutili, head of the national reference laboratory for ASF at the Istituto Zooprofilattico, Perugia, Italy.

Classical disease control measures have been implemented by the Georgian authorities, including the culling of animals and isolation of infected properties.

A total of 20,000 susceptible pigs from villages and private farms were destroyed in 10 regions across the country.

The OIE said that an effective and rapid control of the outbreak will avoid ASF from establishing a foothold and become endemic to the region.

 

[cartski]

Re: Mystery pig disease strikes western Georgia

[

The disease does not affect humans. However, it is a major animal health problem as it is highly contagious, .......

Can we honsestly say this about any zoonotic viral disease any more? If the mutation/recombination is so easiily done, especially in a pig melting pot, any major animal outbreak is a threat to humans.

Perhaps this should be stated negatively. Which viral diseases in pigs could not readily mutate/recombine with other animal or human viruses to create a new human threat?

J.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Mystery pig disease strikes western Georgia

African Swine Fever Strikes Georgia, Endangers Neighboring States

Georgia has been hit by African swine fever (ASF), a devastating viral disease that could also threaten neighboring countries, stated Jan Slingenbergh of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on June 8.

"The incursion of African swine fever is of great concern for Georgia and its neighboring countries. Delayed detection of the virus has resulted in a long danger period where the disease has been unrecognized and the virus could have moved to neighboring countries. Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation should be on high alert," warned Slingenbergh.

There is no vaccine for ASF, which is highly contagious and carries a high mortality rate for pigs. It does not affect humans.

According to Georgian officials, the first confirmed case of AFS was in Guria's Lanchkhuti district. Since the first officially confirmed cases appeared in April, approximately 20 000 pigs have been preventively slaughtered. Scientists were initially unable to diagnose the disease. Only recent testing conducted in British laboratories confirmed the diagnosis of ASF.

In a June 6 government session, special measures were enacted to prevent the spread of the disease. Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs Lado Chipashvili stated it is possible that Georgia's entire pig stock would be slaughtered, reported Regnum.

"Unfortunately, we have determined that African swine fever really exists in Georgia-it is very important to note that this disease is not dangerous to people," Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli announced.

On June 7, headquarters was established in Kakheti for specialists from Tbilisi to study the disease. Specialists have also been sent throughout Georgia to check for other infected livestock, says Koba Jamashvili, director of the Veterinary Association. The next day, the Agriculture Ministry set up hotlines as authorities ordered pork withdrawn from local markets.

"There were cases of dead pigs being thrown into the Zhinvali water reservoir, but it didn't affect the quality of water. We are taking tests every 10 minutes," said the head of Tbilisi Water Company, Davit Chedzia, on June 8.
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia have banned pork imports from Georgia. The virus can last up to 15 weeks in meat.

"Armenia will take all measures not to let ASF into the country," said Grisha Bagian, head of the State Armenian Veterinary Inspection.

Despite strict controls, there is still a high risk of the disease spreading due to the ease of transmission. Pigs feeding on contaminated garbage and meat products or coming into contact with infected animals are susceptible to the virus.

Azerbaijan, in addition to containment measures at border checkpoints, also faces the difficulty of controlling the movement of wild pigs.

According to the FAO, the virus may have entered Georgia via frozen and non-processed pork. The EU, World Health Organization and the FAO will send a joint group of experts to Georgia to evaluate the situation.

http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/1376_june_12_2007/n_1376_1.htm