Risk assessment of African swine fever in the south‐eastern countries of Europe

Abstract

The European Commission requested EFSA to estimate the risk of spread of African swine fever (ASF) and to identify potential risk factors (indicators) for the spread of ASF, given introduction in the southeastern countries of Europe (region of concern, ROC), . Three EU Member States (MS) -Croatia, Greece and Sloveniawere included in the ROC due to their geographical location and ASF-free status. Based on collected information on potential risk factors (indicators) for each country and the relevant EU regulations in force, the estimated probability of spread of ASF within the ROC within one year after introduction into the ROC was assessed to be very high (from 66% to 100%). This estimate was determined after considering the high number of indicators present in most of the countries in the ROC and the known effect that these indicators can have on ASF spread, especially those related to the structure of the domestic pig sector, the presence of wild boar and social factors.

Animal Welfare and Livestock Supply Chain Sustainability Under the COVID-19 Outbreak: An Overview

“…This forecast was ascribed to the possibility of increased wildlife-livestock contacts due to human confinement, and thus increased numbers of wildlife reservoirs (wild pigs), disruption of ongoing testing schemes for endemic diseases, and lower disease surveillance efforts. Overall, funds and programs directed to control outbreaks of many current transboundary animal diseases, such as ASF, foot and mouth disease, avian influenza, and other infectious animal diseases, have been severely compromised worldwide (38,39). These events are caused by indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on livestock health and productivity, as seen with other zoonotic diseases (39).…”

“…Also, a shortage of laborers working in meat processing farms and plants was one of the primary concerns in Canada and the USA, particularly when the visa of foreign workers was suspended (44). In the USA, about 20% of pork production and 10% of beef production have been stopped due to the COVID-19 spillover among staff (37,38). In Austria, the meat processing industry depends to a large extent (80%) on the foreign workforce (migrants from eastern European countries).…”

Analysis of Risk Factors for African Swine Fever in Lombardy to Identify Pig Holdings and Areas Most at Risk of Introduction in Order to Plan Preventive Measures

“…The movement of living animals and of the means of transport represent the main risk for the spread of diseases and this is particularly relevant in areas with high stocking density. Incursion of ASFV in a previously free territory is often occurring through the introduction of contaminated pig products (swill) or living animals into pig farms, while the spread of the disease within a country happens most likely due to poor farming conditions [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Therefore, an understanding of the patterns of animal contact networks provides essential information for the representation of risk-based surveillance and also to establish disease control strategies.…”

“…Recent analysis carried out by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) identified a group of potential risk factors that could play a role in the spreading of ASF in domestic pigs. In the infected territories, swill feeding, the presence of free-ranging pigs and home slaughtering, as well as the presence of a substantial number of smallholders in the area, were found significant indicators for the spread of ASF in the domestic pig sector [ 4 ]. The high percentage of smallholders is an important indicator of the potential spread of ASF in the territory due to poor biosecurity conditions and other features that are typical of this type of farming practice such as swill feeding, illegal animal movements, collections of backyard pigs in markets and home slaughtering [ 4 ].…”

“…In the infected territories, swill feeding, the presence of free-ranging pigs and home slaughtering, as well as the presence of a substantial number of smallholders in the area, were found significant indicators for the spread of ASF in the domestic pig sector [ 4 ]. The high percentage of smallholders is an important indicator of the potential spread of ASF in the territory due to poor biosecurity conditions and other features that are typical of this type of farming practice such as swill feeding, illegal animal movements, collections of backyard pigs in markets and home slaughtering [ 4 ]. In some countries, free-ranging pig farming is a traditional husbandry practice in which pigs are generally raised in extensive or semiextensive production systems where contact with wild pigs is facilitated.…”