Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Global threat of African Swine Fever growing

African Swine Fever is posing a threat in more countries as China is failing in its bid to wipe it out.

China has now culled 916,000 pigs after 100 outbreaks, the government reports.

Belgium and France are trying to wipe out wild boar herds because the disease has been detected in some of them. France is trying to guard its border with Belgium, including proposals to build fences.

And on Monday, Mongolia reported it is trying to deal with outbreaks in four provinces - Bulgan and Orkhon in the north, Tuv in the central rfegion and Dundgovi in the south.

Thousands of pigs have died from the lethal disease, a Mongolian government laboratory reported, adding that around 250 pigs have been confirmed dead in Orkhon province.

North America is on high alert, including a watch on imports of feed ingredients since they have been found capable of spreading the virus.

China has been an exporter of ingredients for hog rations.