Last January 7 it was confirmed by the National Reference Center for Swine Pests of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati" the presence of African swine fever (ASF) on the border between Piedmont and Liguria. The Ministry of Health with the support of the Central Crisis Unit and the Group of Experts on ASF, to whom ISPRA participates, is urgently activating the procedures for both the delimitation ofinfected area and to counteract the further spread of the disease.
In view of the possible serious repercussions for the pig sector and the production sectors connected to it, it is in fact of crucial importance to limit the spread of ASF through the adoption of drastic biosecurity measures, which must also concern the performance of the hunting activity. A phase opens in which the management of wild boar in infected areas and surrounding areas will require a very demanding effort for the Regions and Protected Areas concerned, to which ISPRA immediately guarantees its technical support, in close coordination with the health authorities.
ASF is a highly contagious infectious disease capable of causing high mortality in both domestic and wild suidae of any age and gender. The virus remains viable for a long time even after the animal's death, making the carcasses still infectious and able to transmit the virus. For this reason, the immediate reporting of the discovery of dead boars, even if incomplete, is of crucial importance or in an advanced state of decomposition, to the locally competent Veterinary Services (also through the Forestry Carabinieri, Provincial Police, Local Police).