SCoFcAH 21 August 2014,

State Food and Veterinary Service, Lithuania

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African swine fever in Lithuania

2 ASF positive wild boar cases on 24 of January 2014

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Primary outbreak of ASF (ASF/1) in domestic pigs (24/07/2014)

ASF/1(No. of pigs kept -

19137)

Part I

Part II

JSC

„Idavang“

Rupinskai farm (ASF/1)

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ASF/1• Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) health status;• High biosecurity farm:Farm has a double fence, disinfection at the entrance, special

loading facilities, no live pigs are introduced (closed cycle), employees are contracted (no pigs kept at home, hunting is forbidden), change of clothes before the entrance to the farm, food without pig meat is supplied, records of visitors and transport are kept, etc.;

• Located next to a small regional road and partly surrounded by the forest.

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Farms belonging to the same company

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• On 23 July, late in the evening the owner informed about the increased mortality of weaned piglets and mother sows. Suspicion of contagious pig disease.

• At the same night, a team of state veterinarians with a representative from the central office visited the farm. The clinical signs and symptoms were typical of ASF - weakness and unwillingness to stand, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, eye discharges, abortions and death.

• 40 samples from different pig units were taken for ASF confirmation.

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Disease chronology

Clinical signs and symptoms

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Clinical signs and symptoms

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Disease chronology• On 24 July, ASF was confirmed at the National Food and

Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute (NRL for ASF). • From 40 samples:• 36 samples were positive

by PCR,

• 38

samples were positive

by antigen ELISA (titres from 0,127 to 4).

• 1 sample

was positive

by antibody ELISA

method (titre 0,314) in the weaning pigs unit.

• The possible date of infection based on laboratory findings of seropositive animals could be around 5 July.

• Protective measures were immediately applied in Ignalina district municipality and additional measures - in the entire territory of Lithuania.

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Measures immediately applied from 24 July 2014

• European Commission, Member States and third countries were informed on the presence of ASF in domestic pigs in Lithuania.• Immediate notifications were sent through the ADNS

and

WAHIS

systems.• Protection and surveillance zones were immediately established by order of SFVS Ignalina SFVS and Commission Decision adopted on 24 July 2014.• A standstill for live pigs and pig meat products was immediately applied by Ignalina district municipality, the location of the outbreak was isolated and controlled. The police and army were involved in road control within the restricted areas.

ASF confirmation

On 7 August, Community Reference Laboratory confirmed ASF:•the isolated genotype II ASFVs were identical to the ASFVs which have been isolated since April 2007, i. e. from the first introduction in Georgia to the ASFVs isolated

from wild and

domestic pigs in countries of Eastern and Central Europe

(LT, PL and LV)

in July 2014 .

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Disease chronology

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- on 14 - 20 July 18 pigs died in total with lesions resembling poisoning;

- Location of seropositive pigs.

Mortality curve in the weaning pig unit

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Mortality curve in the fattening pig unit

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Mortality curve in the sows unit

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Pigs killed and buried in the territory of the outbreak farm

Category of pigs killed NumberPiglets 10195Fattening pigs up to 70 kg 7496Fattening pigs over 70 kg 177Sows 1337Boars 12

TOTAL 19217

Burial place for animals and feed

Activities in ASF/1

• On 27 July, all pigs were killed and buried;• On 29-30 July, a preliminary cleansing and

disinfection was performed according to Annex II to Directive 2002/60/EC;

• From 4 August, primary cleansing and disinfection and destruction of feed, feeding stuffs and raw materials for feed was started (in total 685,94 tones already destroyed) by burial. The destruction of veterinary medicines will be performed in an approved plant. Manure, used bedding and slurry will be treated according to Directive 2002/60/EC.

Movement of pigs from ASF/1

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Date of movement Country No. of pigs

2014.07.22 PL 1902014.07.17 PL 1902014.07.14 PL 1902014.07.10 PL 1902014.07.09 PL 1852014.06.23 PL 1902014.06.17 PL 1842014.06.13 PL 2002014.06.10 PL 185

From 1 June to 22 July, 1704 pigs for slaughter were shipped to Poland.

Movement of pigs from ASF/1 to other farms in Lithuania –

contact holdings

• on 10-07-2014, 400 pigs were sent to JSC Idavang Kepaliai (Radviliskis region, Seduva municipality, Prastavoniu village, herd number 41380200723);

• on 17-07-2014, 600 pigs were sent to JSC Sistem (Kedainiai region, Josvainiai municipality, Ciukiskiu region, herd number 40756400022).

• Since 24 July 2014,

SFVS banned the movement of live pigs, porcine semen, ova and embryos

from the

farms which had contacts with the pig farms belonging to the company JSC „Idavang“.

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Direct contact holdings

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Measures applied in contact holdings (1)

JSC „Idavang Kepaliai“

Radviliškis district:• blood samples were taken and tested for ASF on 26-07-2014 (20 samples), on 28-07-2014

(1 sample (dead pig)), on

01-08-

2014

(39 samples), on

07-08-2014 (105 samples); • tested by PCR and ELISA antibodies methods at the NRL with negative results;• clinical examination by thermometry has been carried out twice a day and no clinical ASF signs or mortality have been observed;• in neighbouring stables within the same pig keeping unit samples have been taken and tested by PCR and ELISA with ASF negative results.

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Measures applied in contact holdings (2)JSC “SISTEM“

pig farm in Kėdainiai district:

• blood samples were taken and tested for ASF on 25-07-2014 (59 samples), on

31-07-2014

(60 samples), on

07-08-2014

(115

samples); • tested by PCR and ELISA antibodies methods at the NRL with negative results;• clinical examination by thermometry has been carried out twice a day and no clinical ASF signs or mortality have been observed;• in 2 neighbouring stables within the same pig keeping unit samples have been taken and tested by PCR and ELISA with ASF negative results.

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Protection and surveillance zones established in accordance with Directive 2002/60/EC

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Zone 3 km 10 km

Farms Pig holdings

Pigs kept in total

Pig holdings

Pigs kept in total

19 62 55 148Pig holdings inspected,

clinically tested and samples taken

19 62 55 148

TOTAL 19 62 55 148

In the 3 km protection zone all pigs kept have been slaughtered, clinically examined and samples taken for ASF.In the surveillance zone (10 km around the outbreak location) all pigs were clinically examined, samples taken and tested using ELISA and PCR tests with negative results. The slaughtering for own consumption is still performed.

Activities in the enlarged zone of surveillance

• 208 keepers holding 581 pigs (Central Database, 6 August 2014);

• After the confirmation of ASF in domestic pigs, keepers started slaughtering pigs for own consumption after clinical examination and sampling for ASF, authorized veterinarians started visitations, clinical examination and sampling, the wild boar surveillance is ongoing;

• 166 keepers holding 421 pigs (Central Database, 19 August 2014);

• Till 18 August samples from 372 pigs were taken and tested. Further sampling is ongoing.

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Additional support

• On 31/07/2014–01/08/2014 – a visit of the Community Veterinary Emergency Team :

J. Westergaard (team leader)S. BelliniM. Arias

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Working hypothesis about the virus introduction

1. Wild boar;2. Introduction of live animals or through

vehicles;3. Animal feed;4. Rodents and insects;5. Human factor;6. Back yard farms.

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Ways of virus introduction

Movement of infected wild boars from an infected area:This hypothesis could not be proven, or excluded so far.

•The distance from the Belarus border to ASF/1 is about 22 km. •In relation to the ASF cases detected in wild boar in January ASF/1 is located in the approx. distance of 164-181 km.

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Ways of virus introduction• In Ignalina - adult wild boar - 257 (based on

data provided by Ministry of Environment on 1 April 2014);

• Estimated density: 0,17 wild boar per 1 square km.

• Since 1 January 2014 in Ignalina:• 270 wild boars have been hunted and tested (26

out of them in the protection and surveillance zones

around ASF/1) with negative results for

ASF.• 12 dead wild boars have been found and tested,

1 autolysed wild boar discovered in approx. 7,5- 8 km distance from ASF/1 on 8 of August

has

been found positive using RT-PCR from bone samples.

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Ways of virus introduction

• Introduction of live animals or through vehicles

There is no evidence for this hypothesis, the risk is negligible.

No live pigs enter the farm (closed cycle);

The loading of animals being moved is performed in two different areas of the holding, the cleansing and disinfection is properly performed. Before entering the farm territory trucks are physically inspected and disinfection documents are presented.

ABS’s collection trucks do not enter the farm territory.31

Ways of virus introduction

• Animal feed, rodents and insectsThere is no evidence for this hypothesis, the risk is

negligible.

Feed from all storage places, rodents and blood sucking insects were collected from different locations on ASF/1 and tested using PCR with negative results.

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Ways of virus introduction

• Human factor – under investigation.

This hypothesis could not be proven, or excluded so far.An investigation is carried out by the Prosecution Service and

State Food and Veterinary Service.

Visitors from abroad – on 19 June, Customs Union inspectors (visited only the external territory of the farm).

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Ways of virus introduction

The virus persisted undetected in backyard farms…There is no evidence for this hypothesis: (from 1 January to 24 July, 261 samples from backyard farms were taken and tested with negative laboratory test results, no clinical cases, no increased morbidity or mortality were reported);

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ASF/2 in Utena district municipalityGeneral information:• a back yard farm with 2 pigs, located in a forested area in Part I of Decision 2014/178/EU, in approximately 17 km from ASF/1;•on 29 July, one of the two pigs fell sick; the temperature was increased to 42°C. •on 4 August, the pig died. The other pig (5-month female) was clinically healthy.•on 5 August, the dead pig (5-month male) was delivered to the NRL for ASF confirmation;•on 6 August, NFVRAI confirmed ASF using RT-PCR and found positive to ASF antibodies using ELISA test.

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ASF/2 in Utena district municipality

• New 3 km protection and 10 km surveillance zones were established and sampling started.

• The keepers were obligated to test their pigs and after receiving negative results for ASF the permission was given to slaughter the pigs for own consumption.

• Preliminary, primary and final cleansing and disinfection was performed in accordance with Annex II to Directive 2002/60/EC.

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ASF/2 in Utena district municipality• In the 3 km protection zone there were 6 keepers with 14 pigs.

All pigs were clinically examined, slaughtered for own consumption and samples were taken and tested with negative results for ASF.

• In the 10 km surveillance zone there were 18 keepers with 44 pigs. All pigs were clinically examined, slaughtered for own consumption and samples were taken and tested with negative results for ASF.

• In Utena district municipality 104 keepers with 348 pigs remain. • Till 27 August, by decision of the Emergency Situation

Commission of the municipality all pigs should be slaughtered in all the pig keeping places, which do not comply with national biosecurity requirements.

• Active surveillance of wild boars is carried out.

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Hypothesis about the virus introduction into ASF/2

1. Lack of biosecurity measures in place;2. Human factor - the owner is an active hunter (mostly illegal…), the hunting was mostly carried out at the border with Belarus…3. The probable time of the virus introduction based on the laboratory test results of the positive sample for ASF antibodies was 7-14 of July).

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ASF/3 and ASF/42 ASF outbreaks were detected in enlarged zone of surveillance in Ignalina district municipality on 13 August:ASF/3

- General information:

•On 10 August, there was a suspicion of an unknown pig disease in a backyard farm with 2 pigs kept. The temperature of one of the two pigs (4 month), which were kept, was increased (410C). •On 12 August, the farmer reported the death of one pig. The cadaver was delivered to the NRL for ASF testing. •On 13 August - confirmation of ASF using RT-PCR from blood and organ samples.

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ASF/3 and ASF/4

• ASF/4

- General information:• A backyard farm with one pig;• On 11 August - death of the pig without any symptoms. • On 12 August, the cadaver was delivered to the NRL for

ASF testing. • On 13 August - confirmation of ASF using RT-PCR from

organ samples.

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ASF/1

ASF/2

ASF/4

ASF/3

ASF/3/WB

Hypothesis about the virus introduction into ASF/3 and ASF/4

1. Lack of biosecurity measures in place;2. Undetected cases in the wildlife…? (the backyard farms are surrounded by forests);3. Human factor.

The probable time of the virus introduction based on laboratory results is end of July – the beginning of August.

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Actions taken (1)• All information on ASF prevention and biosecurity measures was repeatedly announced and publicized through the mass media;• The surveillance in domestic pigs and wild boars is ongoing in the entire territory of Lithuania;• Additional inspections have been carried out in all pig holdings in the surrounding regions of Utena and Ignalina in order to check the biosecurity measures, for clinical investigation and sampling for early detection of ASF virus introduction;• All pig holdings have been informed repeatedly to inform an official veterinarian without any delay in case of increased mortality or morbidity;• Biosecurity measures have been strengthened for the backyard farms by amendment of the national biosecurity rules and in case of non-compliance the slaughtering of pigs for own consumption after their clinical investigation and sampling shall apply (draft is prepared and is under discussion). 43

Actions taken (2)• Before the movement of pigs from their keeping place in whole

territory of Lithuania clinical examination will be carried out and veterinary certificate will be issued 24 hours before the movement (Draft of the Order is prepared and will be signed on Friday, on 22 August);

• Till 15 September, all pig keepers should provide updated data on pigs kept to the Central Database;

• Till 15 September, territorial SFVSs should organize additional training for pig keepers, private veterinarians and hunters on biosecurity requirements, clinical signs and diagnosis of ASF, animal registration and identification, pig keeping welfare requirements;

• Close communication with hunters - all discovered dead wild boars or killed in road accidents should be delivered for ASF testing to the NRL. The compensation for discovered dead wild boars is under discussion and a draft Decision is under preparation. 44

Thank you for your attention

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