Men and ungulates
John Filippini, extraordinary commissioner for African swine fever for a few weeks, gave an interesting interview to the magazine “One Health”. In particular, Filippini focused on some aspects related to the spread of ASF: “We must always consider that the danger can be the wild boar, which becomes infected and transmits the virus to domestic pigs, but also humans. Today, according to epidemiological investigations, the role of humans is more important than that of animals”.
A highly resistant virus
Filippini then added: “The possibilities of bringing the virus into farms can concern both contact with the external environment, therefore with wild boars, but also the so-called human factor: unknowingly, a person, or even a vehicle, can act as a vehicle for the virus. I will give one example above all: we know that the virus, given its high resistance, remains active under the soles of shoes for more than two weeks. A farmer who does not change his shoes or does not use personal protective equipment can himself be the indirect vehicle in another farm”.
The new resolution
Finally, a focus on the new resolution: "We have included a whole series of restrictive actions that concern the biosecurity of farms, because we absolutely must protect them from the introduction of the virus. Checks will be carried out and, when the biosecurity conditions are not such as to guarantee the protection of the farm, serious measures will also be taken. Both structural measures are necessary, such as fences, filters, hygiene provisions, and biosecurity management measures, that is, actions that are carried out by the staff (farmers, workers, technicians in certain sectors, veterinarians) or by vehicles".
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