Swine fever, what are the risks? The answers to the most common questions
The advance in Italy of the African swine fever, where over 115 cases are registered in Piedmont, Liguria and Lazio. According to the people of Coldiretti, 2.3 million wild boars are present in our country, they are the main vehicle of this virus. But what exactly is it? Is it dangerous for humans? Why worry so much? Can pets get infected? The experts of the Ministry of Health answer the most frequently asked questions
What is African swine fever, is it dangerous for humans?
African swine fever (ASF) is an affecting viral disease pigs And wild boars. Considered highly contagious and often lethal to animals this disease nobodyinstead, transmissible to man neither through direct contact with sick animals, nor through food of swine origin. But man can be transmission vehicle of the virus through the meat of vehicles, clothing, equipment, food of origin or containing pork, whether or not cured. There are no vaccines or specific treatments, which is why it generates serious socio-economic consequences in the countries affected by it. The virus can survive for several months in the surrounding environment and in the carcasses of infected animals. The pork smoking process doesn’t always destroy it.
What are the symptoms of African swine fever?
The way in which swine fever manifests itself can vary and the symptoms are not always easily recognizable. Typically, infected animals die within 10 days and exhibit all or some of the following:
– fever
– loss of appetite
– passage of the hind train with subsequent clear gait
– breathing difficulties and oculo-nasal discharge
– constipation
– spontaneous abortions
– internal bleeding
– noticeable bleeding on the ears and hips
Come to broadcast
Pigs and wild boars can become infected by grazing or coming into contact with others infected animals, eating meats or scraps and offal to contaminate. Or even, simply, coming into contact with infected objects. The movement of sick animals, cured meats or sausages made with infected meat and the illegal disposal of carcasses are among the most frequent causes of the spread of swine fever. The virus resists for months inside contaminated cured meats.
Where is ASF widespread in Italy?
Several cases have been recorded in Piedmont, Liguria and now also in Lazio where measures have been taken to contain the spread of the virus.
Can pork products harm our health?
Since the ASF plague virus is not transmissible to humans, pork products can be consumed safely. However, the waste must be properly disposed of.
Why is it important to check PSA?
The disease, while not representing a health hazard for humans, is the cause of a important socio-economic impact in the affected countries as it causes considerable time wasters for the pig livestock sector. European standards, in order to eradicate and control the spread of the disease, provide for theslaughter of pigs in which the outbreak was found and the blocking of movements and marketing outside the infected area, including theexport, pork products from outbreak areas. Just think of the potential economic damage resulting from the export of hams and other Italian cured meats and cured meats appreciated all over the world.
What should be done to avoid transmitting the virus?
It is essential to adopt a series of correct behaviors and precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. We report them briefly addressed to different types of users.
For all:
– do not bring to Italy from infected areas (in Italy or in other European Union countries or third countries) products based on pork or wild boar, such as, for example, fresh meat and frozen meat, sausages, hams, lard, that are not labeled with an oval health mark
– dispose of food waste, of any type, in suitable and closed containers and do not administer them to domestic pigs or wild boars for any reason
– do not leave food waste in areas accessible to wild boars
– promptly inform the veterinary services of the discovery of a wild boar carcass
For the hunters:
– clean and disinfect equipment, clothing, vehicles and trophies before leaving the hunting area
– gutting culled wild boars only in designated facilities
– avoid contact with domestic pigs after hunting
For the breeders:
– respect the biosecurity standards, in particular the change of clothing and footwear when entering or leaving the farm and avoiding contacts, even indirect ones, with wild boars or pigs from other farms
– promptly notify the veterinary services of symptoms related to ASF and episodes of abnormal mortality
Can pets get infected?
Dogs and cats are at no risk but it is necessary to avoid that the vehicle is removed in contact with sick animals, or that they can have access to farms of familiar pigs, because they can transmit the virus.
Benedetta de Mattei