BUCHAREST, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Romania has reported 725 outbreaks of the African swine fever in 10 of the country's 41 counties, the sanitary veterinary authority announced on Wednesday.
The outbreaks were recorded in 156 localities in the northwest and southeast of the country, and eight of the outbreaks were confirmed in commercial farms in counties of Tulcea and Braila, both in southeastern Romania.
Up to now, the total number of slaughtered pigs stood at 117,704, both in commercial holdings and in households, according to the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA).
African swine fever outbreaks have been active in Romania since August 2017, but their number increased significantly in June this year.
"African swine fever evolves in two geographical areas. In the northwest, the presence of the virus was confirmed in 14 localities from 3 counties and 1,382 domestic pigs were killed.
"In the southeast, the disease was confirmed in 142 localities in 7 counties, with 46,286 pigs killed in the households, and 70,036 in 8 large-scale commercial holdings," ANAVSA said in a statement.
Meanwhile, 32 wild boars were also affected by the virus, according to the statement.
ANSVSA reiterated that any suspicion of illness must be announced immediately to the nearest veterinarian, or local veterinary authority.
All suspicious animals must be culled and neutralized, and the owners will be compensated by the governments under the conditions provided for by the legislation.
The African swine fever is a viral disease of domestic and wild swine with rapid evolution and up to 100 percent mortality for the sick pigs. There is no vaccine or treatment for this disease. The disease does not affect and is not communicable to humans.
