October 9, 2014
China conducts first emergency response drill for African swine fever at border
On September 28, China conducted her first emergency response drill for African swine fever (ASF) at Heihe freight port, Heilongjiang province border.
The drill consisted of two parts: "emergency prevention and control of ASF drill for border crossings" and "emergency prevention and control of ASF drill for local places", and was jointly conducted by the Heilongjiang Entry and Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and the Heilongjiang Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau.
ASF,having a mortality rate of nearly 100% among infected pigs and no effective vaccine, is known to be one of the worst infectious diseases for swine in the world. Initially discovered in Kenya, East Africa, in 1921, an outbreak of ASF was first described in Russia in 1977. From 2013 till now, Russia has reported 124 cases of ASF, resulting in a death toll of 300,000 pigs and estimated loss of US$240 million.
With the transformation and growth of Russia''s trade and economy, there have been a growing number of goods and people entering and exiting China through the 2981 km long Heilongjiang and Russia border, further increasing the risk of an epidemic.
Although ASF has not been discovered in China, the serious damage it will cause to the nation''s domestic livestock economy cannot be underestimated. Hence, the exercise which servesto prevent a major animal epidemic, ensure the safety of livestock production, improve the inspection and quarantine system, and strengthen the emergency preparedness and capabilities of various relevant departments to work together, is of utmost significance.