Animal virology

TWO cases of African swine fever have been identified in wild boars in Belgium - sparking fears of an ban on exports to non-EU countries which would come as a crippling blow to the pork industry.

And the news has also prompting neighbouring France to call for measures to prevent the disease spreading further.

Poultry-farmers will protest today. The reason is the extreme, according to them, measures against bird flu.

Today talks with the authorities are scheduled, but before them farmers will go out to a peaceful protest.

First cases of infection with African swine fever virus (ASF) were found in four wild boars in Dobrich region (Northeastern Bulgaria). They were shot in a hunting farm on the land of the village of Bulgarevo, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) announced on 1st of November, reports BNT. 

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) said it has implemented a programme for enhanced observation of poultry farms in connection with the latest cases of bird flu. The measures include biosecurity in farms, more frequent laboratory control and prevention across the country. Birds could be transported only after laboratory tests, reports Focus News Agency. 

The wild boar which was found dead at the border with Romania, in the region of the village of Kainardzha near Silistra, have tested positive for African swine Fever virus, Bulgaria's Food Safery Agency said on 24th of October, reports BNT. 

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) found the first case of African swine fever in wild boar near Kainardja, Silistra, the press office of the agency announced on 23rd of October. The dead wild pig was found right next to the wire fence itself, on the border with Romania, where it had become entangled in attempting to pass through to the territory of Bulgaria.

BEIJING, Oct 8 (Reuters) - China banned imports of pigs, wild boars and products from Bulgaria following an outbreak of African swine fever in the European country, Chinese customs said on Monday.

Sofia. The press office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has announced changes in Minister Rumen Porodzanov's order concerning restrictions in group hunting of wild boar.

Sofia. The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) said it has registered a primary outbreak of avian influenza in a farm in the village of Manolsko Konare, Plovdiv region. A laboratory test report has confirmed the disease. The agency has ordered humane killing of all birds in the farm and disinfection.

Sofia. The weekly clinical examinations in pig farms continue, the areas that fall within the protection zone have already been identified, Dr Alexandra Miteva, Head of the Animal Welfare Department of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA), told Focus Radio, commenting on the spread of the African swine fever virus in Bulgaria.