Glamočić: African swine fever virus active in 52 populated areas

The African swine fever virus remains active in 52 populated areas across seven districts in Serbia, a situation the Minister of Agriculture, Dragan Glamočić, described as concerning. He emphasized the need for a coordinated response from all levels of government to tackle the complex problem.

A crisis headquarters meeting is scheduled in Sremska Mitrovica, involving experts from the Veterinary Institute of Novi Sad, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Serbian Army, and the Sector for Emergency Situations. Although the number of districts affected had previously decreased to five, two new hotspots have recently emerged in Bezdan, Žabalj, and Gospođinci.

Glamočić reported that nearly 28,000 pigs have either died or been euthanized as a result of the disease. He identified wild boars and humans as the primary vectors for the virus. The current record-low water levels in the Danube River are further facilitating the spread, as wild boars can cross the river without needing to swim.

In response to the escalating outbreak, an emergency situation has been declared in Ruma, Obrenovac, parts of Sremska Mitrovica, and Šabac to curb the disease's expansion.

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The main carriers of the virus are wild boars and people. The record low water level of the Danube further facilitates the spread of the disease, as wild boars can cross the river without swimming.