Hunters in Pazardzhik Trained Not to Spread African Swine Fever

With the start of the hunting season, local hunting teams will assist in limiting the spread of African swine fever in the Pazardzhik region. The disease is not dangerous to human health, but it causes high mortality among wild animals and creates economic losses. The Food Agency has prepared an action plan and the hunters have been trained to recognize the signs of diseased wildlife. The biggest spreaders of the infection are wild boars, noted Dr. Veska Lukayeva from the Regional Directorate for Food Safety in Pazardzhik.

Every found carcass of a wild boar must be reported immediately to the relevant Regional Directorate for Food Safety. Decomposition and transport of the animals should not be allowed. According to Dr. Lukayeva, transmission paths of African swine fever are associated with contact between animals, and the role of the wild boar is a primary reservoir of the virus, making continuous monitoring and disinfection in nature necessary.

The wild boar can travel about 40 kilometers per day, which accelerates the spread of the infection. The hunters have been trained to take samples for testing from killed wild boars.

Source: БНР Новините