MINSK, 3 October (BelTA) – The situation at pig farms of Vitebsk Oblast is fine and raises no suspicions, BelTA learned from the Veterinary and Food Oversight Department of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry with reference to the latest data of Vitebsk Oblast’s veterinary service.

Earlier on 3 October the Department received information from the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (Rosselkhoznadzor) stating that African swine fever virus genome had been found in three samples of sausage products made by the Orsha Meat-Packing Plant.

An investigation has been launched in Belarus on the basis of the available information.

BelTA has been told that the situation in Belarusian pig farms with regard to African swine fever, including those that supply raw materials to OAO Orsha Meat-Packing Plant (OMKK trademark), was fine. The health of pigs at the pig farms that supply raw materials to the Orsha-based company is examined every day. Apart from that, oblast veterinary labs and the Belarusian State Veterinary Center test every batch of pigs slaughtered by meat-packing factories for African swine fever.

According to Veterinary and Food Oversight Department of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry, the state institution Veterinary Inspection constantly monitors the operation of pig farms and meat-processing enterprises.

BelTA reported earlier that African swine fever represents no danger for people but is extremely dangerous for wild and domesticated pigs. The disease can propagate rapidly and can cause serious damage to agriculture and the economy on the whole.