The Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in the Kharkiv region informs that due to the unstable epizootic situation regarding African swine fever (ASF) in Ukraine and the last registered case of ASF on 06/26/2024 in a private farm in the village of Fedorivka, Novovodolazha settlement council, Kharkiv district, taking into account that Kharkiv district borders Chuguiv district, realizing the risks of spread and in order to prevent the spread of the ASF virus in the district, we remind owners of pig farms of various forms of ownership that they need to know about this disease.
African swine fever (ASF) – a particularly dangerous viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, characterized by rapid spread and high mortality, which entails great economic losses, as up to 100% of infected pigs die. It does not pose a threat to human health. There are no drugs for the prevention and treatment of ASF. The source of the disease are sick pigs, which excrete the virus with urine, feces, nasal discharge and other secretions.
Transmission of the disease to healthy animals can occur through virus-infected feed, bedding, manure, animal slaughter products (meat, meat products, blood). Clinical signs of the disease: 2-7 days pass from infection to the appearance of clinical signs; the animals' body temperature rises to 42 C, shortness of breath, cough appear, appetite disappears, thirst increases, vomiting and paralysis of the hind limbs are noted, red-violet spots become noticeable on the skin of the inner surface of the thighs, on the stomach, neck, at the base of the ears, on the patch and tail. Death occurs on the 1-5th day, less often later.
In order to prevent infection their animals, owners must adhere to the following rules:
- keep animals in closed pigsties and do not let them out to pasture;
- Be sure to inform your local veterinarian about the presence of pigs, who will vaccinate the animal against erysipelas and classical swine fever (free of charge);
- purchase high-quality compound feed only on official markets and require sellers to provide accompanying documents guaranteeing the quality, safety, and place of origin of the feed;
- do not feed animals food without prior heat treatment;
- do not use water from rivers or other slow-flowing bodies of water flowing through forests where there are wild boars to water animals;
- regularly treat your animals against insects and ticks;
- fight mouse-like rodents thoroughly and comprehensively;
- maintain a high sanitary culture of management, do not attempt to transport live and slaughtered animals without veterinary documents;
- carry out backyard slaughter only in the presence of a veterinarian;
- Under no circumstances should you buy meat or lard at random markets or places of unauthorized trade, it can be dangerous!!!
Remember that only compliance with the listed rules can protect pig farms of various forms of ownership and the territory of the district from ASF infection. Until pig owners begin to comply with them, the disease will continue to spread across Ukraine and cause great economic damage to our country.
Contacts of veterinary medicine departments:
– Chuhuyiv District Veterinary Medicine at the address: Oleksandra Zachepyla St., 15, Chuhuyiv, tel. 2-21-16;
– Zmiiv Veterinary Medicine Department at the address: 10, 92nd Brigade St., Zmiiv, tel. 0574734363, 23A, 23A Shironintsiv St., Taranivka village +380962917607, +380984117478, 9, 9, Sheludkivka village, +380992442326, +380999304329;
– Pechenyhi District of Veterinary Medicine at the address: Berehovy Lane, 8, Pechenyhi village, tel. +380688939799, +380960824723;
Working hours: Mon-Thu from 8:00 to 16:45, Fri from 8:00 to 15:45, Sat-Sun - weekends.