Don't give pigs sausage. African plague genome found in Ulyanovsk products

About three kilograms of MEAT products with the genome of African swine fever (ASF) were seized from grocery stores in Ulyanovsk. This was reported in the Veterinary Agency of the Ulyanovsk region. 

Products came to the region from Chuvashia. Sausages with the DNA of the virus were found in one of the outlets of the Volga region. All seized goods were destroyed. The point itself was disinfected. This happened on the same days as the quarantine situation at the meat processing plant in Novocheboksarsk. And last week, the Izvestia newspaper reported on the destruction in Tatarstan of 786 kg of sausage, which could be infected with African swine fever, as it was imported from Chuvashia and Mordovia. Experts say this coincidence is no coincidence. The chain of distribution of the emulsifier with the ASF genome, as well as products made with its use, is now monitored using the Mercury system. In such a situation, it was very important to find out where the contaminated raw materials came from, and the competent authorities have already drawn certain conclusions.

- Alexander Vladimirovich, it was in the sausage during the production control that the gene material of the virus was found. How dangerous is it for people?

- The ASF virus is extremely dangerous for the pig population and the economy due to the rapid spread of the infection and the almost 100% mortality of animals. There is no evidence yet that it is common to humans and animals. But do not forget that viruses mutate. And how this disease will further affect human HEALTH is a question. 

- But so far we are not talking about biological, but about economic harm to humans? 

- Yes, the damage from ASF is huge. If the disease is detected in a settlement, then there is a complete elimination of livestock. Regardless of whether it is personal farms or large pig farms. When there were outbreaks of ASF in Kuzovatovsky and Baryshsky districts in 2019, such measures were taken there. Owners of slaughtered pigs receive compensation from the budget. Its size roughly corresponds to the market value of animals. But you need to understand that this is a blow to the budget. According to the calculations of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, if ASF is registered in a complex where there are conditionally 50,000 pigs, then only direct losses amount to about a billion! In addition, in addition to slaughtering pigs, the sale of pig products is also stopped in the territory where the disease is detected. 

- Experts of the agricultural sector immediately noted that some entrepreneurs, in an attempt to purchase raw materials cheaper, turn to other regions. And this can turn into troubles associated with the importation of dangerous animal diseases into the region. But how does the infection get into the sausage?

- An approximate way, most likely, is this: meat suppliers kept silent that the slaughtered pigs had ASF, and put it on production. And the manufacturers did not conduct proper heat treatment. The ASF virus dies if the meat is at least 30 minutes at a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius. If these parameters are not met, then it can be saved. After that, sausages disperse throughout the country. And, as the Mercury system, which allows tracking the path of production, shows, sausage with the ASF genome is sold to consumers. The problem is also that (such information reaches us) that expired sausage is thrown into a landfill and even distributed to people. 

- But if it is harmless to people, then what's the problem?

- The fact that these products can be given to animals. And pigs too. And in this case, there may be a threat of infection with ASF. 

- At the same time, there is still no vaccination against African swine fever?

- Unfortunately it is so. Although work on its development is underway. But so far the most effective way to combat this disease is prevention. For example, at a meeting of the emergency anti-epizootic commission of the Ulyanovsk region, held on November 15, it was decided to expand the buffer zone around pig farms with a high level of protection from 10 to 30 kilometers - these are the recommendations of the federal Ministry of Natural Resources. There should be no wild boar in this zone. 

- Is he being shot?

- Yes, 100% removal of wild boar is carried out in the buffer zone. For this, joint patrols of representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the veterinary service go out. They conduct an inspection for the presence of a case if there is no boar. If there is, then for the shooting. 

- But this does not mean that we will shoot hundreds of wild boars throughout the region?

- Of course not. Firstly, we have only six pig breeding complexes with a high level of protection. And they account for about 70 percent of the pig population of the Ulyanovsk region. 

Secondly, there are not so many wild boars in the Ulyanovsk region. According to the regional Ministry of Natural Resources, there are only 730 individuals on our territory. This allows keeping within the indicator of 0.25 individuals per 1,000 hectares. We have even less - 0.24. 

Another preventive recommendation is to sow fields at a distance of no closer than a kilometer from pig farms. Because wild boars eat corn, wheat, oats, sunflowers. And if they are in close proximity, they can also create a threat of infection. According to statistics, wild boar accounts for 30 percent of infections, domestic pigs - 70. 

- What recommendations should be given to the owners of personal subsidiary plots? 

- First: acquire livestock in ASF-free regions. Our area is prosperous - here and buy. Chuvashia no longer exists - it’s not worth going there for piglets. 

Second, all the food waste you give your pigs should be cooked. And it is better to exclude them from the diet altogether. Moreover, you should not feed with waste from public catering. Feed with your feed and also with heat treatment. 

Third: this is the free-range keeping of pigs. We had areas in the region where it so historically happened that pigs were let out for grazing. And in this case, there may be contact with a wild boar. Fortunately, there is no such thing now, but I would like it not to be at all. 

And fourth: in no case hide the facts of the death of pigs and report them to the veterinary service. Do not throw into garbage containers, do not bury. Because wild boars feel buried corpses, they find them and eat them. And if an animal dies from ASF, it will give rise to a focus of infection. 

- And the carriers are also only pigs and wild boars?

- Yes, but there is also such a thing as a transfer factor. This is when the disease is transmitted between pigs through an intermediary. It can be rodents, birds and, of course, humans. In the case of people, shoes and care items can become a transmission factor. In 2019, a hunter brought ASF to one of the villages on boots from the forest. 

- It turns out that piglets should not be fed in the shoes in which they went for mushrooms?

- Actually, we have rules for keeping pigs. And it says that at the entrance to the room must be disinfectant rugs. But who has them in private households?