Poland: African Swine Fever Situation in Poland
04.11.2021 15:10 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Following are selected highlights from a report issued by a U. S. Department of Agriculture attache in The Warsaw, from January 1, 2021, through October 29, Poland’s Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) officially notified 119 African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks on hog farms and 2,278 cases among wild boars. In 2021, the virus has affected mainly smallholder hog farms located in the Podkarpackie and in the Warmia-Mazury Provinces in eastern Poland. Polish veterinary authorities implemented the recommended protection and surveillance protocols to contain the outbreaks. In 2021, to date, most outbreaks are noted in the Podkarpackie (55) and in the Warmia-Mazury (18) provinces in eastern Poland. Podkarpackie province (south-east of Poland) is not a significant pig production area, but it is characterized by small scale farms. According to the Regional Veterinary Officer in Krosno, by the end of September 2021, out of 44,000 animals kept in Podkarpackie region, almost 7,000 animals were culled to eliminate outbreaks and as preventive slaughter within 1 km from the outbreaks. The Veterinary Service explained that the spread of ASF in domestic hogs is naturally caused by the presence of the disease in the wild boar population, but the unfavorable structure of farms additionally increases the risk. Risk factors include keeping pigs in compact housing, ongoing intensive field work, and the increased movement of people. According to the CVO, however, the general ASF situation is better than last year, despite the higher number of ASF outbreaks in hog farms (119 in 2021 so far, as compared to 103 in 2020). As noted by the CVO, in 2021 the disease has affected mostly smallholder farms, which generally practice minimal biosecurity measures. As per official data, 57.1 percent of outbreaks in 2021 were noted on farms keeping up to 50 pigs, while big farms, with over 1,000 pigs, constitute only 5.9 percent of all outbreaks. In 2020, in comparison, 7.8 percent of ASF outbreaks were on farms keeping over 1,000 pigs. Additionally, in 2020, a total of almost 57,000 hogs were culled in 103 ASF outbreaks, while in 2021, to date, a total of over 41,500 hogs were culled in 119 ASF outbreaks.
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