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In the virtual meeting of the standing group of experts on African Swine Fever (SGE ASF16), participating member countries presented their national epidemiological situation regarding ASF. The following is a summary from the presentation, "African swine fever in Asia and the Pacific & SGE-ASF for Asia" presented by Yooni Oh, Regional Project Coordinator FAO RAP.
As of Nov 2020, a total of 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific officially have reported ASF. (China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, North Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia; with Papua New Guinea and India reporting for the first time in 2020)
At least 8 million pigs have died or been culled although the real figure is likely much higher. South Korea continues to report cases in wild boar. Myanmar reported a new case in Sagaing states. Pig deaths suspected to be ASF-related have been observed in Indonesia in Nias, North/South Sumatra, Bali, and East Nusa Tenggara. Timor-Leste has a total of 126 outbreaks currently ongoing in the country, and 7 of 13 cities are affected.
Several challenges were identified in terms of the control of ASF in Asia. There is a high pig population density in east and southeast Asia. The region has large numbers of small-scale pig farming with low biosecurity. Value chains are complex and operate across national borders. Cultural practices around pig use and food consumption may create additional risk pathways. Finally, globalization has made it easy for people and products to travel rapidly and over long distances.
November 23, 2020/ OIE.
https://rr-europe.oie.int/
