Piovà Massaia, Piedmont – The PalaMenta recently hosted a conference of national importance on African swine fever, where Professor Ezio Ferroglio, director of the Agricultural School and Veterinary Medicine of the University of Turin, discussed the current situation in Piedmont. The region is one of eight areas of the country currently affected by the disease, and efforts to contain its spread appear to be paying off.
So far, more than 7.000 pigs have been slaughtered, with 60% of these sacrifices taking place in restricted areas. There are 438 animals positive for the disease, distributed in 96 municipalities, all located in the province of Alessandria. African swine fever is a serious threat to the entire pig livestock sector, with possible heavy economic damage and serious repercussions on the health of the animal population concerned.
Professor Ferroglio said that although it will take at least three years to completely eradicate the disease, the situation in Piedmont can be considered under control thanks to the preventive measures taken so far. However, it is essential not to let your guard down, especially in restricted areas, and it requires constant commitment on the part of the Provinces and the hunting world.
One of the main concerns concerns the contagion between pigs and wild boars, which can occur through contact with sick animals. To address this problem, the use of helicopters for the removal of infected wild boar carcasses has been introduced. In addition, the Army has been involved in the control of waterways in order to limit the spread of the disease.
According to estimates, there are about one million and 500.000 excess wild boars on the national territory, and this constitutes an additional risk factor for the spread of African swine fever.
In conclusion, Piedmont is addressing the threat of African swine fever with effective preventive measures and coordinated efforts. However, it is vital to maintain awareness and continue efforts to contain the spread of the disease. Only in this way will it be possible to guarantee the safety of the animal population and the sustainability of the pig farming sector in the region.