African Swine Fever in Bangladesh, the 21st country in Asia-Pacific to be infected

As the 21st country in the Asia-Pacific, Bangladesh has also confirmed the emergence of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The outbreak was found on a “Pig Development Farm” with 414 pigs in the county Rangamati Sadar, in the Rangamati district, Chittagong division, in the east of the country. The Rangamati district is located adjacent to both India as well as Myanmar. Over half of the district’s population is said to be Buddhist, explaining the presence of swine farming in Bangladesh, which is predominantly Muslim. In total 274 animals were found to be positive of ASF virus, and 227 of them had died. According to the WOAH report, the outbreak had started on November 13. The virus was confirmed in a laboratory in the capital city Dhaka on November 22. The reporting of the outbreak in Bangladesh doesn’t come as a total surprise. Virtually all neighbouring countries reported the presence of the virus in an earlier stage, including ...