All the roads to the pig farm near agro-town Koptsi (Vitsebsk region) are blocked off by traffic police.
According to local residents, the pig population of the farm is to be killed today because of another flair of African swine fever. The policemen who stopped traffic declined to confirm or deny the information.
Unauthorized persons are not admitted to the pig farm and its premises, because the area is restricted, they said. Moreover, the police prevented reporters from taking pictures; they insistently recommended him to leave threatening with arrest.
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For no obvious reason large numbers of swine fell in Minsk, Hrodna, Brest and Vitsebsk region not long ago; the authorities tried to becloud unpleasant facts and did not comment on the recent developments. However, on June 19, 2013 several agricultural production cooperatives in Staubtsy district were closed. But only after Russian and Ukraine imposed a ban on shipments of Belarusian pork, the outbreak of swine fever was recognised by the Belarusian authorities.
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of African swine fever (ASF). The virus causes a haemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in pigs. ASF does not pose a threat to life and health of people.
Belsat
