Following the discovery of African swine fever in Sweden, severe restrictions have been introduced in the affected area. The Swedish Agricultural Agency has decided to block off a large area of almost 1,000 square kilometers that stretches from Västmanland and into Dalarna.
This means, among other things, that you are not allowed to stay there, pick berries and mushrooms, hunt, work with forestry or engage in other outdoor activities.
The restrictions apply until further notice, the authorities announce.
This is how the infection may have spread
The authorities suspect that the African swine fever may have spread from the local landfill in Fagersta, which is described as an “epicenter” for the wild boar.
– It is a clear possibility, says state epizootologist Karl Ståhl.
– It is clear that it is an epicenter for the wild boar. There are many wild boars and a lot of food, he continues.
According to Ståhl, approximately 75 percent of the local wild boar population has moved within a radius of one kilometer around the dump.
– But it could also be something that ended up in the forest. Both are possible, says Ståhl.
Strikes hard against forest owners
Swine fever can hit forest and land owners hard. Forest owner Erik Brate has his entire 450-hectare forest in Bråfors in Fagersta, within the protected zone.
He was not prepared for African swine fever to reach his forest. It was when journalists started calling him and asking questions that he found out what had happened.
– Because I was out in nature doing it, no one has informed me, he says to the TV4 Nyheternas reporter.
Erik has the forest as his biggest source of income and is now worried about what will happen to the forest felling and the economy in the near future.
– In principle, we won’t be able to do anything because of the access ban, he says.
The work to search for dead wild boars will initially last a few weeks, but may continue for months, according to the authorities.
– It is an economic disaster if it cannot be solved in any other way, says Erik.
The municipality in staff mode
Fagersta municipality has gone into emergency mode due to the African swine fever.
– It feels incredibly boring. It affects everyone who lives and works in the municipality, says Åsa-Märta Sjöström, chairman of the municipal board to TT.
“We have a close collaboration with the Swedish Agricultural Agency, which is on site in Fagersta, and also with the State Veterinary Hospital (SVA), which is on its way here,” the municipality writes on its website.
Sick wild boars are to be shot this weekend
The Norwegian Veterinary Institute (SVA) is looking for more cases of swine fever in wild boar in the area around Fagersta.
– We will work together with the hunters, says state epizootologist Karl Ståhl to TT.
Diseased animals found must be shot, and all carcasses must be sampled and then burned in a mobile facility brought to the site.
African swine fever
African swine fever is a contagious viral disease that affects wild boars and pigs, resulting in serious illness and death, usually within a week.
Among the symptoms are fever, bleeding, shakiness and poor appetite. The disease does not affect humans. The disease has been present in Europe since 2007 and the EU since 2014.
The general public and hunters throughout Sweden, but above all in Västmanland, are now invited to report finds of dead wild boar to SVA. Pig keepers are asked to review their biosecurity and contact a veterinarian at signs of illness or increased mortality.
Source: The Norwegian Veterinary Medical Institute
(TT)