Very interesting topic

Thanks for the news

 AFS has been endemic in domestic pigs and wild boar in Extremadura, Spain for decades and was one of the reasons for the collapse of the acorn-hog based dehesa agro-forestry (attached). It is currently under control also in the wild. Relevant publications to speed up the learning curve are available on RG.

Article Nitrogen and phosphorus limited production of cereals and se...

The number of positive pigs found increased to 22 individuals. All dead bodies were found in the area of infestation, ie in the district of Zlín. In addition to the localities where the wild boars were found (Lužkovice, Příluky, Hvozdná), four new cadavers were discovered in the village of Kostelec. Exceptional veterinary measures introduced are in force in the Zlín district in force.

Thanks Jakub One question : when I look at it on google earth, these localities are quite urbanised, not a zone of large forests. Any chance these dead wild boars were road kills ? All the best

Wild boars with a negative result on ASF were killed as a result of collisions with cars. Positive boars were found in the woods and the question is, how many positive boars have died in the fields (in a few days will begin to harvest rape). Unfortunately, we can not expect that ASF will not be spread due to intensive traffic on the roads (traffic frequent is very low and migration of wild animals across the road is common). And yes, diameter circle area with the occurrence of ASF is around 5 km. To date, we have 25 positive boars. So far, we can not hunt and we are waiting for the eradication program.

OK thanks for this prompt and precise answer

Vincent

From now on Extraordinary Veterinary Measures apply in the Czech Republic. These are intended to reduce rapidly the number of wild boar counts in the Czech Republic (regardless of gender and age) and thus reduce the risk of ASF spread. The Crisis Commission is currently sitting on the eradication program in the crisis area (I will deliver the results later). The motorway line between the towns: Lanžhot - Brno - Olomouc - Frýdek-Místek, the buffer zone was bordered. In the area east of it, all the hunted boars will be screened for ASF. Hunters are paid a reward of about 37 Euro per one hunted boar. Extraordinary Veterinary Measures include the use of prohibited hunting methods (hunting of the car, hunting in the fields at harvest time, hunting on the borders of hunting grounds, hunting with artificial light sources, etc.).

To date, 40 positive boars were found (all are in one area, yet). 21 examined boars were negative and 13 waiting for examination. In the appendix I attach a map with marked infested territory (Fig. 1) and the second is a map of positive findings (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1 – yellow area is buffer zone with intensive hunt (a large part of Moravia), red is infested territory (the whole district of Zlín),

Fig. 2 – red points are positive findings.

So far, we have 59 positive boars confirmed. In the hunting grounds with positive findings, was allowed hunting of wild boars with stringent animal health conditions. In surrouding hunting grounds (within an infected area), hunting is still prohibited. In the rest of the Czech Republic, intense hunting was ordered. The main aim of this procuration is a rapid decrease in density of wild boars in the landscape and minimize the spread of ASF to next locations and countries.

In the Czech Republic, 72 positive WBs have been found so far (all in the area of about 2500 ha). 40 dead WBs were negative. The infested territory was surrounded by an odor fence, an electric fence will be added. In the infested territory hunting is prohibited, the WBs will be caught to the cages. There have been many suggestions for solving the situation (e.g. total fencing, army solutions, application of poisons). Finally, a solution with probably the smallest effect was chosen (in my opinion). Otherwise, we are intensively working on reducing the status of WBs throughout the Czech Republic!

Hi Jakub, you mean a fence will be built all along the perimeter of 2,500 ha? And ten wb inside will be captured (and probably eliminated) in order to maintans a wb-devoid potentially infected area for a long period of time?

And what do you mean by reducing the status of WB outside the infected area ? Is it reducing density or detailing the status ? Tx in advance for your feedback

Hello Vincent,

yes, the odor fence is 40 km long, and the electric fence will be as long. Inside this fenced area, capture devices will be placed and all caught WBs will be kill. The purpose is to prevent the migration of infected WBs out of the contaminated-fenced area and their complete disposal (there).

Ministry of Agriculture and State Veterinary Institute commanded intesive hunting of WBs across the Czech Rep. We can hunt any WBs, regardless of the hunting plan, gender and age. Even we can use prohibited hunting methods. The purpose is to prevent population density reduction and to minimize the spread of infection.

Are my answers sufficient? If not, I'm happy to fix them.

This is perfectly clear, many thanks Jakub

Thank you very much for your information and updates. All the best with the eradication program.

We visited infected area and with participation of local game manager (main hunter) recognized the environment and places of dead WBs. The vast majority of dead WBs were found by the water (brooks). Several piglets from dead sow were trapped in the village intravilan. These piglets sucked milk from dead mother positive to ASF (a few days after death) and even biting her into the blood. Piglets were nevertheless negative on ASF. That's just for interest.

Attached is a map with positive samples on ASF (all WBs were found dead) to 1st August 2017.

Below is a map with marked actual odor fence and electric fence (el. fence has been in operation since yesterday). To date, we have 82 positive findings and 56 negative (all dead WBs in the outbreak of ASF - see map). In outside of the outbreak of ASF were hunted only 28 wild boars (within the District Zlín - infested area - area 7 times larger than the outbreak). 

Dear Jakub, many thanks for sharing your valuable information. My colleagues and I follow the ASF situation in your country with great interest. I wonder how the odor fence works. Has it been used to confine wild boar to an area before? What is your experience with this approach so far? Best regards from Germany, Franz     

Dear Franz,

I'm not a pessimist, but when I see our state solve this problem - I'm worried. Infection was confirmed 43 days ago and so far done no effective action. No pig has ever passed through electric fences (electric fence is only 3 days there). But we do not know how many WBs left outbreak before installing them. According to my experience: odor fences, if they were well placed - it can work. But this is not our case (they are located at the very edge of the road and in field depressions). But the WB decides of skip the road about 5-15 m from the road (it stands, monitors the situation and then quickly runs) - fences were placed further away from the road. And the same case is an electric fence. If the pig is in motion - the wire will not stop it. In addition, WBs are accustomed to the electric fences (intensive cattle grazing). However, WBs have no reason to emigrate yet. They have available of about 120 ha unharvested fields with wheat and corn; people are banned from entering the forests and fields; shooting of all game species is prohibited; in the near future, we will also begin catch WB to traps. All that I have written is situation in outbreak of infection. These measures may or may not work, but that is not enough. We were supposed to build a wooden/metal fence, apply poisons and shoot all WBs in outbreak and nearby surroundings. We could also use the army and other armed forces. The risk of infection and spread could have long been eliminated, but it still persists. Now we have to believe that our actions will be effective and ASF will not spread to other localities.

Best regards, Jakub

 To date, we have 87 positive findings and 63 negative samples from dead WBs. In outside of the outbreak of ASF were hunted 55 wild boars (within the District Zlín - infested area - area 7 times larger than the outbreak). All hunted WBs were negative for ASF. Actual map of outbreak of infested area with findings.

To date, we have 95 positive findings and 78 negative samples from dead WBs. In outside of the outbreak of ASF were hunted 246 wild boars (within the District Zlín - infested area - area 7 times larger than the outbreak). All hunted WBs were negative for ASF. Actual map of outbreak of infested area with findings. Last week was began trapping WBs to 8 cages in outbreak of ASF (still not captured). Map was actual to 23rd August 2017. 

I am here with the news, after a long time. Trapping cages were placed to infested area and began to catch wild boars. 6 piglets were catched and killed (for the past 2 weeks). There was permitted extensive shooting of WBs: only 3 hunters in one hunting ground; after successful hunting - they must not hunt for 3 days (avoiding intense stress). AMP has so far been confirmed in 101 WBs. There are still about 150 live WBs in the infested area. Map was actual to 20th September 2017.

Wild boar GPS tracking in the context of ASF spread (two model areas). We do not use  trapping cages.

Dear Jakub, I was travelling through CZ last week, looking at trees and forest conversion, forest risks, deer managenment and hunting systems mainly, but of course we spoke ASF and we managed also to contribute to shooting some WB near Brno.... Here in the Black Forest of Germany we are slowly preparing for it. I now heard that in CZ the Army is involved in eradicating pigs and the Fire Service is collecting the cadavers. Can you confirm this? I am asking because here the stupid idea is discussed that the hunters collect dead animals and drive them to the next collection point....which will spread it even further. many thanks for your update! A.H.

Dear Alexander,

Actual data from infested area: were found 112 positive WBs (include one boar which was caught in the cage) and 39 negative WBs. 38 WBs were hunted and 21 WBs were caught to the cage. Only trained hunters can hunt in hunting grounds (within infested area) and professional snipers (from police) also participating in hunting from this Monday (they hunted 2 WBs). Found dead WBs in the field are tackled by veterinarians (firefighters help, but everything is managed by veterinarians). Hunted and caught WBs are tackled by hunters (removal to the collection site and remediation of instead of hunting). Is my answer satisfactory?

Best regards, Jakub

Dear Alexander,

in Germany everything belonging to this topic is recently discussed in expert-grouops of the Federal States.

Of course BW is a bit slow, Lower Saxony has started making plans and getting in contact to baltic states in beginning of 2014 (and recently CZ). Only trained hunters will be helpers and a spreading will not be done by cadaver-transportation, as this is not allowd due to vetereinary restrictions.

But: YES it is all very frightening!!!

Best

Olli

In Lithuania, the first signs of ASF was detected in 2014. The Lithuanian Authorities have reported to the European Commission and the OIE two cases of African Swine Fever in wild boar in two separate counties in Alytus and Vilnius regions (OIE, 2014). Since then, the country saw a rapid spread of ASF. Seven out of 60 Lithuanian municipalities have been in a state of emergency over the disease for more than two years. At the end of last year, the Lithuanian government revoked the state of emergency, claiming the virus has been tackled.

Hi Jakob, I was wondering what is going on in Zlin, since the 19th November OIE notification is of 20 infected wb. I guess this is the highest number ever notified in one time. I had understood (probably uncorrectly) that all wb in the high risk zone had been eliminated? All the best

Hi Vincent,

we have 147 positive cases on ASF (all inside the fenced area). In total there were 196 dead WBs found. In the fenced part, intensive catching and hunting takes place, so the WBs have managed to significantly reduce, unfortunately, fences (both odor and electric) show considerable failure and inefficiency. WBs migrate to and out of the area. It is estimated that there are still about 100 WBs (suctioning effect) in the fenced area. The crisis is not averted at all. On the contrary, the director of the State Veterinary Administration said recently that the current situation is more serious than it was in the summer.

Best

OK, thanks, and the spread of ASF within Poland (to Warsaw) is scary too… Winter is coming…

On 21 December 2017, five dead ASF-positive wild boars were found south of ASF infested area in Zlín. In the cadastral area of Lípa in the small area were found two sows, one yearling and two piglets. According to the State Veterinary Administration, the deaths were 10-14 days old. These are the first positive findings outside the infested area!

possible sources could be males' (mature and young) moving during  the rutting period. Wild boar adapt to smell and fences easily; moreover, rutting is rather strong driver for moving

Possibly, there muste have been a male i there, but the CZ ASF website also mentions a female with your piglets…

The sex of yearlings is unfortunately not mentioned anywhere. Today, another positive finding outside the fenced area was confirmed (yearling)...

Surely, females with piglets can contaminate. It is obvious as during the mating period males are going towards . We speak about possible source of infection through contacts with contaminated object.

Bird could be the source (1), and infected (or post-infected) individuals (2), foxes or other carnivores that tasted or by all means contacted with, maybe, infected carcases, e.g.). Surely that sows with piglets can touch some infected source and contaminate

Hi Jakub, sorry to disturb. I am following the ASF via google translate and it is not always perfect… On the CZ website, there is news about wild boar depopulation in Poland (http://www.africkymorprasat.cz/aktuality/na-obranu-divocaku). However, when I get to the Polish website on ASF (http://www.minrol.gov.pl/Informacje-branzowe/Informacje-branzowe-aktualnosci/Afrykanski-Pomor-Swin) I can only find information on the new regulation for backyard pig farming, not on WB depop. Any hint on the source of this news on WB would be appreciated. All the best. Vincent

Hi Vincent, if I understand correctly, the Ministry of the Environment ordered the State Forests and the Polish Hunting Association to reduce the density of wild boars to 1 indd per 1000 ha. I will try to get this order through the editor-in-chief or webmaster of "africkymorprasat.cz". Jakub

Thanks, it seems so incredible… I'd rather check since no such thing appears in the Polish report to the Animal Health Regulatory Committe in Brussels last month (https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/animals/docs/reg-com_ahw_20180228_asf_pol.pdf). All the best. VIncent

Vincente, the editor-in-chief sent me a link to the original article: http://magazynkaszuby.pl/2018/02/rzez-dzikow/ and one more link: http://magazynkaszuby.pl/2018/03/haniebna-masakra-dzikow-nieskuteczna/. All the best. Jakub.

what is the best/latest scientific reference for the eradication of ASF from Czech Republic?