The number of swine fever cases in Austria’s neighbouring countries and in the Balkans is increasing dramatically. Transit states such as Carinthia and Styria are particularly at risk of introducing the virus. Crisis operations are therefore already being practiced.
Since last autumn, the number of cases of swine fever has increased in Germany, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Due to the high volume of traffic in the summer, Carinthia and Styria, which are often used as transit routes, are now preparing for an emergency. The crisis operation was rehearsed during a multi-day exercise between the two states, in which Upper Austria and Slovenia participated.
Try to keep the plague out as long as possible
“Our goal is to keep this disease away from Carinthia and Styria for as long as possible, but especially from our animals and farms. Our urgent appeal: please help us with this!”, said Deputy Governor Martin Gruber.
According to veterinary experts, human introduction is currently the greatest risk. The virus, which is harmless to humans but deadly to domestic pigs and wild boars, can remain infectious for months in foods such as sausages. But the plague can also be introduced via clothing, especially contaminated shoes worn on holiday.
The consequences would be dramatic
“For example, if an infection is detected on a pig farm, there is no other option than to cull all the animals in the barn to prevent the spread of the disease,” is the gist.
Source: Krone
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