Concern about the spread of African swine fever in Lombardy further increases after the confirmation of the second case in the production area of salame di Varzi Dop. According to the authorities, the contagion is moving ever closer to pig farms, prompting fears of a potential national catastrophe.
Another virus-positive carcass in the Pavia area
Concern about African swine fever in Lombardy is growing further after the discovery of a second case in the municipality of Ponte Nizza, in Valle Staffora, in Oltrepò Pavese. This is another wild boar carcass that tested positive for the virus, found a few kilometers away from the first find on June 16th. The Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori (CIA) warns that a national catastrophe must be avoided, as the region is at risk with its significant production of pork products, which places it among the leading in the world.
Measures to limit the spread of swine fever
Faced with the critical situation, the Pavia Health Protection Agency has set up a red zone around the hilly and mountainous belt of the Oltrepò in accordance with the provisions of the Region. However, additional strategies may be needed to stop the spread of this pathogen which could cause serious damage to the food economy of Lombardy, especially in the production area of the prized Varzi salami. The farmers' union warns that the situation is extremely serious and that this epidemic must be contained before the circulation of pork-derived products is blocked.
Spread of swine fever in Italy
African swine fever is highly contagious and causes great suffering to pigs and wild boars. Additionally, the virus can survive for years in processed meats such as cured meats and sausages, despite being blast chilled or frozen. After the cases reported in Salerno, Lazio and Rome, the region in Lombardy is also preparing to contain the spread of the infection, which is getting ever closer to pig farms.