An outbreak of African swine fever in Catalonia has stripped Spain of its disease-free zone label The livestock sector was placed under surveillance. It was discovered in wild pigs, but experts warn of the importance of containing this highly contagious virus so that it does not affect pig farms.
Last week’s appearance from Dozens of wild boars appear to have died from the virus (Two confirmed and eight still under consideration) Institutions were forced to act, deploying troops from the military emergency unit to control the outbreak.
Yolanda Revilla, principal investigator of the African Swine Fever group at the Severo Ochoa Center for Molecular Biology (CBM-CSIC), is pretty sure about it. The issues will not stop there: “There are probably more (infected animals).”
He also warns that although humans cannot contract it, Yes, it can pose a danger to pig farms.. The transmissibility of the virus in this species means that it can be transmitted from a single contact from a wild boar to a domestic pig, which is more susceptible to disease than the former. “This could lead to the sacrifice of entire farms,” the expert says.
This is because, at least so far, there is no way to eliminate the virus There is no vaccine to combat it And prevent that. Therefore, the only way to stop its spread is to cull the animals.
Christian Gortázar, professor of animal health at the Institute for Research in Fisheries Resources (IREC), is somewhat more optimistic, explaining that the virus has… Blood-mediated transmissionWhich means that the animal must come into contact with this fluid from a diseased sample in order to become infected with it.
Therefore, there must be direct contact, for example, for one of these animals to eat the carcass of an infected specimen. However, there is also indirect communication, which in this case seems to be the most plausible option It can be more dangerous.
This is what Carmina Gallardo, researcher at the Animal Health Research Center (INIA-CISA-CSIC) and expert at the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO), says. The truth is that the virus entered a livestock farm It will happen indirectly in most cases.
It can do so through trucks, other vehicles, clothing, shoes, tools, materials, feed, or contaminated water, among others. For this reason it is necessary to preserve and Strengthening biosafety measures All the time, confirms the UN Food and Agriculture Organization expert on African swine fever.
She and Gortazar also warned against this It is a very resistant virus It can remain in meat, blood, feces and contaminated surfaces for some time. For example, it lasts up to 18 months in refrigerated blood, two to three weeks in unprocessed meat, and nearly 3 years if frozen, Gallardo says.
Contaminated sausages
At present, it is not clear the origin of the outbreak that occurred in Spain and Several hypotheses are being considered.
Someone points to Sandwich with contaminated sausage It is possible that someone may have fallen to the ground in an area where many trucks pass and where there are service areas, Catalonia’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Oscar Ordig, said in a press conference last Monday morning.
It’s hard to know the origin, but Revilla, of CNB-CSIC, doesn’t think it’s a crazy theory. It may be due to the meat of a sick animal Coming from areas where the virus is present For example, if a foreign tourist brings food from his country.
In this sense, Antonio Rivero, spokesman for the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), highlights The importance of raising awareness about not leaving waste in the natural environment And in areas where there is little litter control to avoid this type of transmission.
“Awareness is vital: Throwing food scraps into the countryside may seem insignificant, but for a country like Spain, which is a big powerhouse of pigs, It can have a huge impact“Gallardo adds.
High mortality rate
SEIMC’s zoonosis specialist also says African swine fever exists A virus with a high mortality rateIt kills practically all infected specimens. Information that further highlights the importance of protecting pig farming, although no cases have yet been detected on farms in the area.
There is currently no way to know what path the outbreak may take in Catalonia and the risk of it spreading to neighboring autonomous communities, such as Aragon, where Surveillance is already being intensified. “It depends on the development in the coming days,” says Gortazar of the International Commission on Renewable Energy.
Spain is not the only country in Europe fighting this virus. Old continent He has been fighting against it since 2007. It affects powers such as Germany, Italy and many eastern regions. Other countries, such as Belgium, have seen outbreaks, but have managed to break free again, Gortazar says.
“This should be the goal that Spain should aim for,” the expert continues. Since there is no vaccine against the disease, it is not easy, but it can be achieved. It is necessary, yes, Maximum biosafety and containment measures.
The United Nations African swine fever expert agrees with this view and points out that the key to preventing the spread of the virus is… Initial containment of the outbreakwhich is already underway.
If biosecurity measures are strictly enforced on farms in areas affected by the outbreak, wild boar numbers will be well controlled and citizens will respect the rules. “The chances of the virus escaping from the infected area are greatly reduced.”Highlights.
If this does not happen, the situation can become complicated. He added: “If the virus settles in wild boars, as has happened in other European countries, the battle will be much longer and more complex.” Ability to settle endemically among wild populations“.