African swine fever confirmed at a farm with 6,000 pigs

DSVSA Buzău confirmed on Thursday the presence of African swine fever virus at a commercial farm in the county, where approximately 6,000 pigs are being raised. It is the first outbreak to occur at a professional operation in Buzău after nearly two years of calm.

The first clinical signs were observed two days before the official confirmation. Veterinarians collected samples, and laboratory tests indicated that the herd had been infected with an extremely contagious virus.

To limit the spread of the disease, the authorities decided to euthanize all the animals on the farm in the following days. The carcasses will be neutralized through specific procedures, and the barns will be cleaned and disinfected. Restocking will be permitted only after the outbreak has officially been contained and the biosecurity measures have been verified.

DSVSA established protection and surveillance zones and imposed movement restrictions on animals, personnel, and feed at two other nearby farms. Meanwhile, inspectors are monitoring five active outbreaks in backyard holdings. In these cases, 24 pigs have already been slaughtered.