AFRICAN SWINE FEVER DETECTED IN TWO HOUSEHOLDS IN THE VILLAGE OF GRADAC

BIJELJINA, JULY 14 /SRNA/ - African swine fever has been confirmed in two households in the local community of Gradac in the Semberija region.

The relevant authorities responded immediately, with the infected pigs being euthanized and the affected households, as well as the surrounding and wider areas, disinfected, it was said today at a meeting of the Local Crisis Response Centre.

Sreten Vučković of the city's Department of Agriculture warned that Semberija is practically surrounded by the African swine fever virus, as the relevant authorities in the neighbouring Mačva region of Serbia are recording between 10 and 15 new cases of infection every day.

A similar epizootiological situation exists in Croatia, further increasing the risk of the virus spreading to the Semberija area.

Vučković said that all necessary measures would be taken in Semberija, in line with developments in the situation and in cooperation with all relevant institutions.

Further activities aimed at curbing the spread of the disease were agreed at today's meeting.

"Only through coordinated action by all relevant services can the further spread of this dangerous disease be prevented," Vučković concluded.