AFRICAN SWINE FEVER SPREADS FROM GEORGIA TO ARMENIA

Pravda, Russia
Oct 3 2007

A U.N. food agency said Wednesday that African swine fever, a
contagious viral disease in pigs, is spreading from Georgia to Armenia.

In Georgia, 52 out of 65 districts are currently affected by African
swine fever ()

The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said the virus has
hit northern Armenia and the outskirts of the capital, Yerevan.

"The spread of the African swine fever virus to the Caucasus region
poses a very serious animal health risk and could lead to a dramatic
situation," FAO’s Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech said
in a statement. "The EU, Russia, the Ukraine and other countries
have a serious problem on their doorsteps that needs to be urgently
addressed," he added.

In Georgia, 52 out of 65 districts are currently affected by the
disease, with more than 68,000 pigs dead or culled, the agency said.

The disease, which causes fever and death in pigs, does not affect
humans.

Killing infected animals or animals at risk and movement control are
essential measures to contain the virus, the agency said. It said it
is planning to provide training and equipment to Georgia and Armenia
to help them increase surveillance.