The presence of the African swine fever virus, for the first time in Montenegro, was confirmed in two dead wild pigs, found in the territory of the municipality of Nikšić, in the border area with Bosnia and Herzegovina, announced the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs
"On January 12.01.2023, 14.01.2024, the veterinary clinic 'Nikšić' received information from the Bratogošt hunting society about the discovery of two dead wild boars. Upon receiving the notification, VA Nikšić, by order of the veterinary inspector, in cooperation with the hunting society, carried out sampling and harmless removal of corpses. Appropriate samples for laboratory testing were delivered to the Specialist Veterinary Laboratory in Podgorica, which immediately upon receipt performed the necessary diagnostic tests. On January XNUMX, XNUMX, the Specialist Veterinary Laboratory determined the presence of the African swine fever virus in the samples of both carcasses through prescribed diagnostic tests ", the announcement states.
According to data from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the disease has been present in Europe since 2007 and is spreading unstoppably across the European continent, in domestic and wild pigs. In neighboring countries, it first appeared in 2019 in Serbia, and then in North Macedonia (2022), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo (2023).
Therefore, according to the Administration, it was expected that the disease would also appear in Montenegro.
"Since 2019, given the appearance of the disease in the region, as well as the specifics of this virus, the lack of an adequate vaccine and therapy against this disease, the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs, in cooperation with the veterinary service and the Hunting Association, has continuously implemented a campaign raising awareness, training and simulation exercises, as well as all other necessary preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of disease occurrence in Montenegro, i.e. early detection and timely response in case of disease occurrence. All these activities have evidently contributed to the subsequent occurrence of the disease in our territory." , the statement added.
They explain that this disease is not a zoonosis, that is, that people cannot get sick from the African swine fever virus, but they point out that the meat of infected animals is not suitable for consumption.
"African swine fever, which affects only domestic and wild pigs, with a mortality rate of almost 100%, spreads quickly and causes great economic losses. The disease is most often spread by contact of sick people with healthy pigs, contaminated food, water and mats, clothes, shoes , equipment and means of transport, as well as carcasses of dead or slaughtered animals," the announcement states.
In order to limit and suppress the disease in a timely manner, they emphasize, it is extremely important to report every carcass, i.e. dead wild pig, to the Administration, so that it can be removed in a harmless way by the competent veterinary service, thus reducing the possibility of new cases.
"The program of mandatory animal health protection measures stipulates a fee for information on the discovery of a dead wild boar in the amount of EUR 40.00. The found carcass is reported to the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs at the emergency phone number 067/666-632. After that, if if the application is justified, sampling, diagnostic testing and all prescribed measures are taken," explained the Administration.
They also remind that every pig keeper is obliged to report any change in health status, as well as any death of pigs on the farm, to the competent veterinary clinic. "After going to the field and at the expense of the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs, the veterinarian will take samples and send them to the Specialist Veterinary Laboratory in order to rule out or confirm the disease in a timely manner," they add.
Pig owners are recommended to fully cooperate with the veterinary service and apply biosecurity measures on the farm, in accordance with the recommendations of the veterinary service, which includes:
• compliance with regulations on animal identification, animal movement and traffic;
• keeping pigs in such a way as to prevent direct contact of domestic pigs with wild pigs and other wild animals;
• avoid grazing pigs and letting pigs out in an open area, which is not protected by a fence or in another way;
• do not feed pigs with ruminants;
• persons who have been in contact with wild boars must thoroughly wash and disinfect their clothes and shoes;
• mandatory reporting of every sick or dead domestic or wild pig to the competent veterinarian;
• place barriers at the entrance and exit to the facility where pigs are kept.
• implement measures to remove ectoparasites and protect animals from ticks;
• carry out preventive disinfection of the barn (floors and walls) by spraying with milk of lime or other suitable disinfectant;
• proper disposal of manure, as well as in the case of slaughter for own needs, proper disposal of by-products (burying, burning).
In order to minimize the risk of the spread of the disease, the administration appealed to pig keepers, hunters and other subjects to observe all prescribed measures and recommendations, especially biosecurity measures.
"The Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs will monitor the situation on the ground every day and will inform the public about it in a timely manner", they conclude.
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