2020

Everyone Can Help in the Fight against African Swine Fever

Information published by the Ministry of Agriculture shows that in the first seven months of this year, almost 200 cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been detected in feral pig populations, which signals that the fight against this dangerous disease is not over. In order to reduce the spread of ASF in nature, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) and the Food and Veterinary Service (FVS) call on all Latvian residents who find a dead wild boar to report it to the FVS territorial unit or local government in the territory of which the wild boar was found.

This year, ASF in feral pigs was mostly recorded in Kurzeme, but its outbreaks are still detected in other regions of Latvia.

It is possible to control the further spread of ASF with the help of modern technologies. Based on the LVM GEO tool, the FVS creates and updates a digital map of the areas affected by ASF, analyses the location of pig farms and the potential risk of disease in them, as well as plans to inspect the farms. Up-to-date information is also available to every resident of Latvia using the map application https://pvd.lvm.lv/. It shows ASF cases, quarantine areas, risk areas and other operational information. The LVM GEO Mobile application helps to survey the areas affected by ASF.

FVS Public Relations Specialist Anna Joffle: “Continuing the ASF control measures, we have developed a new solution, allowing every inhabitant of Latvia to quickly and easily report a dead wild boar found in domestic forests by calling 29394696. Finders need to provide their contact information to this number for further communication, as well as attach photos and send GPS coordinates using the WhatsApp application.”

Precautions must be taken

Although the ASF virus is not dangerous to humans, it persists in wild boar carcasses for a long time, which is why they serve as a reservoir for the disease in nature. That is why a certain set of precautions must be taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The carcasses of wild boars must not be touched, and shoes must be washed when returning home.

In general, one of the most effective measures to rehabilitate the wild boar population is active search and destruction of carcasses. In addition, hunters must continue to actively hunt feral pigs in order to avoid significant population growth.

Reporters will receive a remuneration

A person whose information with the exact location of the dead wild boar is confirmed will receive a payment of 23 euros and 10 cents (or 30 euros before personal income tax). Payment will be made by bank transfer within the next month.