Blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh struggles to utilize containment measures against African Swine Fever due to shortages

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) authorities have launched containment measures to stop the spread of African Swine Fever, a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, amid various confirmed cases.

Two African Swine Fever clusters have been discovered in Askeran region, Radik Gevorgyan, the Head of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department at the Ministry of Agriculture of Nagorno-Karabakh told ARMENPRESS.

55 infected pigs have been destroyed so far, he added.

“All municipal veterinarians have been notified on the problem and are vigilant to prevent the spread of the disease in case of detecting it,” he said.

The ongoing Azeri blockade creates problems for properly organizing the containment measures because there are widespread shortages of essential products, including the necessary materials and measures, Gevorgyan said.

In addition, the inspection agencies are having difficulties in carrying out active visits for supervision due to the shortage of fuel.

African swine fever (ASF) is not a danger to human health, but it has devastating effects on pig populations and the farming economy. There is currently no effective vaccine against ASF.