African swine fever detected in Azerbaijan

The due announcement was made by Novosti-Azerbaijan with reference to spokesman for the State Veterinary Service under Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture Yolchu Khanveli.

He explained that the virus was detected in Nidj village of Gabala.

"Blood samples taken from swines in this village, were examined in the Republican lab of the State Veterinary Service. The results of the researches confirmed the presence of African swine fever", he said.

Quarantine has been declared in the village to prevent the virus spreading.

He said the State Veterinary Service of Azerbaijan carries out anti-epidemic measures and sanitary works in the village beginning from today.

"The State Veterinary Service informs the population that the virus of African fever, detected in Azerbaijan for the first time, is controlled by the service, which has undertaken due measures to prevent the virus spreading", he concluded.

It should be reminded that African fever was detected in Georgia and Armenia in October-November of 2007. The head veterinary of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization Josef Domenek announced that the spread of African swine fever virus in the Caucasus may have dramatic results, absence of control of its spread and strategy of combat may lead to the spread of the virus in other countries.

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease of swine. ASF causes high mortality rates in infected domestic pigs. The virus is found in wild pigs and ticks in Africa.

There is no treatment or vaccine for ASF. Humans are not affected by the ASF virus, yet the meat of an infected anumal may be fatal to health.