FAO alert on African swine fever – high risk of spread due to lunar new year holidays season

The risk of introduction and spread of African swine fever (ASF) into countries free from the disease is elevated due to intensified travel around the Lunar New Year (29 January 2025).In light of the elevated risk, FAO is calling on all Chief Veterinary Officers to increase ASF prevention and preparedness activities to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks and subsequent impacts on livelihoods and economies.To address this, countries should focus on strengthening inspections at international borders, national administrative borders, and high-risk traffic routes. Efforts should also include improving biosecurity and good husbandry practices on farms, ensuring systems for early detection, timely reporting, and rapid containment of the virus are robust, and implementing targeted sampling of animals that are more likely to carry the virus. Active surveillance should be considered as a proactive measure, while collaboration with forestry and environmental sectors, as well as game management authorities in contact with wild pig populations, is critical. Consulting closely with the private sector will facilitate early reporting and response, and awareness campaigns should be reinforced to educate stakeholders about ASF prevention and management strategies.

Année de publication : 2024
Lieu de publication : Rome, Italy ;

Pages : 3 p.
Auteur(s) : FAO

Éditeur(s) : FAO ;
Type de produit: Policy brief

Citer comme suit: FAO. 2024. FAO alert on African swine fever – high risk of spread due to lunar new year holidays season. Rome.

Langue : English

Link : https://www.africavet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cd3826en.pdf