While ASF has been spreading across the country through wild boars, this break is only the third this year in domestic pig populations and by far the largest.

June 4, 2019

2 Min Read
Poland confirms African swine fever break in 8,000-head herd
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A farm with more than 8,000 pigs in Poland has broke with African swine fever. According to the World Organization for Animal Health, the farm is located in Bielsk Podlaskie near the border with Belarus.

The information was provided to the OIE by Pawel Niemczuk, chief veterinary officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, POL Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Varsovie, Poland

While ASF has been spreading across the country through wild boars, this break is only the third this year in domestic pig populations and by far the largest. Since October 2018, there have been more than 1,400 cases of ASF reported in wild boar populations.

On Oct. 26, 2018, the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service agreed to lift restrictions on imports of some fresh and frozen pork from Poland that were put in place earlier that month, due to potential risk from ASF. After an expeditious review of export protocols, APHIS notified Poland that it will lift restrictions on all establishments located in the contiguous free zones. During that announcement APHIS also declared, “We are retaining restrictions on raw product and heat-treated -- but not fully cooked -- product from two establishments while we complete a more thorough review.” 

While there is no human health risk, as humans are not susceptible to ASF, USDA continues to work to ensure consistency with the stringent, long-standing safeguards in place that protect U.S. animal health from ASF. USDA uses a strong series of interlocking protections against the entry of animal diseases like ASF, including restricting the entry of pork and pork products from ASF-affected countries or regions.

Sources: OIE and USDA, which are solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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