“All pigs in east Abkhazia should be killed”
According to the head of the Abkhaz veterinary service all pigs in the eastern part of Abkhazia need to be put down, in order to prevent African Swine Fever from spreading.
Erik Anshba made his comments after two new cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were reported in the autonomous region of Abkhazia, in the North of Georgia, the beginning of this week. Russian veterinary experts, he said, are in the region to follow the situation.
Series
The outbreaks were the latest in a series that commenced in April this year and carried on well into the summer. ASF, usually a disease that only prevails south of the Sahara, was reported in 52 out of 65 districts in Georgia.
More than 30,000 pigs died and a total of 22,000 pigs had to be culled.
Blaming
De facto Abkhaz authorities there were quick to blame Georgia for the outbreak, claiming the virus spread to Abkhazia from Tbilisi-controlled upper Kodori Gorge.
Separatist Abkhaz representatives allege Georgians intentionally threw dead, infected pigs into the Enguri River, the de facto boundary between secessionist-controlled and Tbilisi-controlled territory.
Related news items:
• Georgia: more cases of African Swine Fever (21 Aug 2007)
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