Four countries including Myanmar have the highest potential risk of ASF: FAO

Four countries including Myanmar have the highest potential risk of ASF: FAO
Published 14 March 2019

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam have the highest potential risk of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus due to the spreads of ASF in Yunnan Province in China which borders Myanmar, said Dr. Min Thein Maw, Director of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.

The department has temporarily banned the imports of live pigs and pig-related products from China and other countries with the reported outbreaks of African Swine Fever.

“Until now since August 2018, there have been transmission of African Swine Fever in China. It has spread to about 30 provinces. China culled one million pigs. Now the cases are reported in Vietnam and Taiwan. We have to follow the FAO’s directives. The FAO has urged these countries to take necessary measures in order to control the spreads of African Swine Fever,” he added.

In a bid to prevent and control the spread of African Swine Fever, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation put African Swine Fever on the B-list of the infectious diseases, on February 20, under the Animal Health and Development Law (17/93).

According to the laboratory tests, there is no outbreak of African Swine Fever so far. It is good news. We are taking preventive measures against the African Swine Fever after classifying it into four phases. Laws, order and directives are needed to take effective preventive measures at the border gates in accord with the law,” he continued.

Four cases are reported in Yunnan Province, according to the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.