BEWARE OF SWINE FEVER!

A1+
[07:54 pm] 08 June, 2007

The outbreak of African swine fever in Georgia has aroused a great
panic world-wide.

"Armenia borders on Georgia and the Armenian territories are under
great peril. Armenia should be on alert lest the African swine fever
spreads in the country," Grisha Baghyan, the head of the veterinary
and stock-raising agency of the Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia,
told A1+.

We take every possible effort to prevent its penetration into
Armenia. There are over 180000 pigs in the country. But the fever
has the potential for wide international spread, he said.

We have banned the export of pork from Georgia since June 1. All
means of transportation are being disinfected, Grisha Baghyan says.

African swine fever is a contagious viral disease in pigs. The disease,
which causes fever and death in pigs, does not affect humans. It does
not pass from a pig to a human being or to other animal.

Georgia reported that outbreaks began at the end of April in 10
regions across the country, and that 20,000 pigs had already been
slaughtered. The government is taking measures to prevent the further
spread of swine fever.

The fever could have a "catastrophic" economic impact unless its
spread is halted.