Background African swine fever
Illegal ASF vaccines circulate on the Chinese market
African swine fever (ASF) is now prevalent in several countries and is also active in Eastern Europe. This year the virus also made its appearance in Nigeria, reportedly nearly 1 million pigs have already been culled. Illegal vaccines are being circulated in China, in the meantime Belgium is almost getting its ASF-free status and emotions are rising in Poland.
Earlier this year, Nigeria was hit by the African Swine Fever. The outbreak started a few months ago in Lagos, Africa's largest city. There, dead pigs were found on one of the largest pig farms in West Africa. After testing, it turned out that the pigs were infected with the ASF virus. The virus has now spread to several parts of the country and farmers have to cull large numbers of pigs. It is reported that nearly 1 million pigs have already been culled.
According to the National Veterinary Research Institute of Nigeria, the pig population has grown significantly over the years. In 1984 the country still had about 2 million pigs, in 2009 the number had increased to about 7 million. It is estimated that there are currently about 14 million pigs in Nigeria.
Illegal vaccines in China
In China, the virus has already struck big and the domestic pig herd has been severely depleted. Several more outbreaks were reported last month, according to sector experts they may have come from flooding. China is busy restoring the pig herd and China's Ministry of Agriculture reports that despite new outbreaks, pig numbers were still rising in July. has increased significantly.
To this day, there is no official ASF vaccine on the market. However, there seem to be a number of illegal, untested vaccines circulating in China. The illegal vaccines have been circulating on the market for some time. The Chinese authorities have announced a crackdown on the production and use of illegal vaccines.
Closer to home
If we look closer to home, to Poland and Belgium, the situation in Belgium looks promising from. It has been a year since an infected wild boar carcass was found there. If no more infected cadavers are found this year, the country will regain AVP-free status.
The situation in Poland is much more worrying. The virus is circulating on a large scale among wild boars and pig farms are not spared either. This year, 66 cases of infection in domestic pigs have been reported. The majority of these concern hobby pig farmers, but there are also companies that are struggling with infections. Polish pig farmers can make use of a subsidy scheme whereby they can receive a maximum of €22.350 per company to optimize biosecurity.
Chanti Oussoren
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