Classical swine fever returns to Russia

A backyard pig herd at Krolevcy in Primorsky Krai, Russia, was recently hit by an outbreak of classical swine fever, Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance has informed the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Only five animals were affected – three died and two were destroyed – but the outbreak is significant as it is the first since November 2007. The source of infection is unknown. The region is in the far south-east of the country and borders China and North Korea.
The usual control measures are being applied: movement control inside the country; screening; disinfection; quarantine; stamping-out of affected herds and control of wildlife reservoirs. No vaccination or treatment of affected animals is being carried out.
Other European countries have reported outbreaks of classical swine fever – for example, Latvia since 2012 – but the distance between the two make any link between them highly unlikely.
Russia has also been battling African swine fever in recent years but outbreaks of that disease have occurred in its more westerly regions.