The outbreak of African swine fever among wild boar outside Fagersta has increased vigilance across Sweden.
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Hunters and pig producers as well as the general public are active in reporting suspicions. Responsible authorities also decide on sampling when suspicions are significantly lower than before the outbreak.
The purpose is to help confirm that the outbreak is limited to Fagersta.
"We get a lot of questions in connection with sampling and restrictions on domestic pig herds in different parts of the country.
"We understand that authority decisions about "restricted herd due to suspicion of African swine fever" can raise both concerns and questions," says Lena Hellqvist Björnerot, Sweden's chief veterinarian, Swedish Agency for Agriculture.
"But it is important to remember that this is a measure that is done several times a year according to regular routines. If a serious animal infection is detected, we must have minimized the risk of spread.
"At the same time, we want to be clear that more sampling is now taking place at lower levels of suspicion for African swine fever. It's about increasing security."
Should the result be positive for African swine fever, it will be promptly announced. Direct contact is made with the animal owner concerned and it is also communicated via a number of other channels.
In connection with the decision to take samples of domestic pig herds due to suspicion of African swine fever, the Swedish Board of Agriculture simultaneously announces a decision to block the farm in question.
Blocking decisions must always be announced when there is a suspicion of infection. The decision means, among other things, that no animals are allowed to leave the farm.
As soon as SVA has analyzed the samples and these are negative, the Swedish Board of Agriculture lifts the ban.
The degree of suspicion can vary from it being assessed as low probability that the symptoms are caused by African swine fever to there really being grounds for suspicion.
In order to have a sensitive surveillance system that contributes to the detection of cases, the call to animal owners and veterinarians is to get in touch even if the level of suspicion is low and the threshold for taking samples is also low.
While samples are being analyzed, the herd can be covered with a barrier, to prevent further spread in case the answer is positive. ■
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