Brazil confirms outbreak outside CSF-free area

Suspicions were confirmed after tests were conducted at the Federal Agricultural Laboratory of Minas Gerais. The case occurred in the municipality of Cocal de Telha, in a backyard husbandry property. The first suspicion was reported on November 23.

The Brazilian health authorities notified the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and took immediate measures. Tehcnicians slaughtered all animals on the property and started investigations whilst continuing to identify epidemiological links.

Even with the confirmed case, there are no justifications for restrictions on international trade in pigs and their products. Piauí is not part of the CSF-free zone. Therefore, one cannot sell animals and pork products in disease-free zones.

The CSF free zone is situated in the North and Notheast. It counts 11 Brazilian states: Amapá, Alagoas, Amazonas, Ceará, Maranhão, Pará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Roraima.

In addition, the CSF free zone includes 15 Brazilian states and the Federal District (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Mato Groso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Distrito Federal, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Bahia, Sergipe, Tocantins, Rondônia and Acre).

The free zone encompasses more than 95% of the entire Brazilian pig industry. The WOAH recognises the area. Natural barriers and checkpoints protect the boundaries between the CSF-free and non-CSF-free zones. Surveillance and risk mitigation procedures to prevent the introduction of the disease are continuously in place.

Classical Swine Fever (CSF), also known as hog cholera, is a highly contagious viral disease that only affects pigs and wild boar. It does not pose any risks to human health and has no impact on public health.

CSF is a disease that causes major economic and social impacts due to direct losses, mainly due to pig mortality and production losses, as well as indirect losses, due to control costs, treatments and, mainly, restrictions imposed by importing countries.

The main symptoms in animals are high fever, red lesions on the skin, conjunctivitis, lack of appetite, weakness, diarrhoea and abortion.