An outbreak of African swine fever has been confirmed at Ciucani, Sanmartin, Harghita County, after a pig from a local household fell ill, Director of the Harghita Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate (DSVSA) Robert Istvan, told Agerpres on Friday.
The first signs of the disease appeared on Wednesday, when a veterinarian was called urgently and collected samples. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus on Thursday.
The Local Centre for Disease Control was convened to draw up an immediate response plan, including the euthanasia of the pigs left in the breakout household and ordering quarantine in the area.
By the time the response team arrived, the other three pigs in the household died.
Istvan mentioned that among the steps taken were disinfecting the affected household and establishing a protection zone within a radius of three km and a surveillance zone of ten km around the outbreak, where several restrictions have come into force.
Veterinarians checked all households in the protection zone for possible illnesses and call on citizens to report if they notice signs of the disease in animals.
Also, the traditional events that take place during this period in the area are allowed only in the absence of any animals.
The affected household is located on the outskirts of the village, and there is a suspicion that the source of the infection could be the forest environment, as the owner did not carry out animal trade activities, and the pigs were raised for his own consumption.
Istvan also said out that the pigs in the household affected by the African swine fever virus were not ear-tagged, which is why the owner will not be compensated for the loss.
He insisted on the importance of ear tags and animal registration, saying that in their absence, the owners do not have the right to compensation and risk being fined.
This is the second outbreak of African swine fever reported in Harghita County since the beginning of 2025.
Comentează