Skopje, 12 August 2022 (MIA) – Since the first report of African swine fever in the village of Dramche in Delchevo on January 6, 2022, new cases have been reported in Moshtica, Mojanci, Preseka, Trkanje and Vinichka Krshla, Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA) Director Nikolche Babovski said on Friday. Babovski pointed out that small farms with one, two or three pigs for domestic use are the most vulnerable, since they do not use biosecurity measures and they, he said, represent the greatest danger for further transmission of the disease. He calls on all pig farmers, official veterinarians of the FVA or the nearest veterinary associations, to report all suspected cases of African swine fever in order to prevent the transmission of the disease. The sources and reservoirs of the virus, said Babovski, are wild boars, and the disease which is present in the region has most likely been transmitted from a neighboring country. Babovski called on the citizens not to be concerned, because the African swine fever is not dangerous for humans, nor is the meat from infected pigs harmful, but the disease can be transmitted because the virus remains active in fresh meat. He urged farmers to keep the pigs in closed areas and to report all suspicious cases immediately. “The big farms aren’t in the region that is currently affected by the African swine fever. These are individual cases. We would like to remind farmers that they will receive compensation only if they report a suspicious and diseased animal in which the presence of the disease is confirmed, and not for dead animals. If cases are not reported, the farmers are not entitled to financial compensation. There is also no compensation for pigs which, contrary to the restriction, are kept in the open, these pigs will be confiscated and safely disposed of at the expense of the farmer,” said Babovski at a press conference. ad/sk/