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Latvia may declare state of emergency to cope with African swine fever

This article is more than 12 months old

Latvia may declare a state of emergency in the eastern part of the country, near its border with Belarus and Russia to fight an outbreak of African swine fever in some wild boars and domestic pigs.

Swine fever was discovered in Latvia at the end of June and earlier in both Lithuania and Poland.

The disease occurs among pigs and wild boars, where its effects are devastating and often deadly, and there is no vaccine. It does not affect humans.

So far, a total of eight wild boars and three domestic pigs in Latvia have tested positive.

"Infection has gotten into wild boars and we don't know how long it will continue to spread," said Maris Balodis, the head of the country's Food and Veterinary Service. "Therefore, steps which can be done in an emergency situation are preferable at this moment."

Latvia's parliament is expected to vote on the issue this Thursday.

A state of emergency would give officials access to private farms so they can test even unregistered pigs, check vehicles leaving infected areas and implement other measures to limit the potential spread of the disease.

- Reuters

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