Glamočić: Outbreaks of African swine fever and sheep/goat pox under control

Serbia's Minister of Agriculture, Dragan Glamočić, announced that the country has brought outbreaks of sheep and goat pox, as well as African swine fever, under control. He stressed that strict adherence to biosecurity measures is essential to prevent the diseases from spreading further.

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Today we will check about ten more farms that were in contact with the infected household, because the incubation period is seven to eight days. We hope that everything will pass without new cases and that we will quickly report this disease as resolved.

Glamočić explained that authorities, in collaboration with the Serbian Army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, swiftly identified and contained the sheep and goat pox outbreak. The infected flock was isolated, and 27 sheep and lambs were euthanized. He noted that while sheep and goat pox are less contagious than African swine fever, euthanasia of infected animals remains the standard procedure to curb the virus's spread. The minister reassured the public that these viruses do not pose a threat to humans.

Regarding African swine fever, Glamočić stated that the virus primarily spreads through wild boars and non-compliance with biosecurity protocols on farms. He confirmed an additional case on a small farm in Sefkerin, which was immediately addressed by authorities. "Many talk about conspiracy theories, but the virus exists, and the only cure is euthanasia. There is no vaccine, so there can be no relaxation – all protective measures must be applied every time," Glamočić asserted.

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The only way to prevent the spread of the disease is euthanasia, in accordance with the highest standards. It is also important for citizens to know that this virus is not dangerous to humans.

He advised citizens to purchase meat only from registered stores and butcheries, assuring them of safety. However, he warned of the risks associated with the illegal sale of meat and processed products. Glamočić highlighted that responsible behavior from everyone is key to halting the virus's spread, noting its presence in 17 European nations and over 85 countries worldwide, as the virus and wild boars disregard national borders.

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Many talk about conspiracy theories, but the virus exists and the only cure is euthanasia. There is no vaccine and therefore no relaxation – all protective measures must be applied every time.

In a broader context of the livestock sector, Glamočić rejected the notion that development should be measured solely by the number of animals. Instead, he emphasized the goal of increasing productivity and output to meet market demands. He reported an 11% rise in high-quality breeding sows within a year, along with increases in the number of cows and sheep. Simultaneously, Serbia is expanding its export markets. The government will continue to support production that generates the highest added value and enhances the competitiveness of Serbian agriculture, he concluded.

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Only if we are all responsible can we stop the spread of the virus. African swine fever is present in 17 European countries and more than 85 countries worldwide, and the virus, like wild boars, knows no state borders.