Swine fever: checks begin in Porto Torres with molecular dogs
Checks on goods and animals arriving at the port
Controls begin at the Porto Torres seaport to check incoming goods and animals and create a sanitary cordon against African swine fever. Molecular dogs are in action in the port for checks on vehicles disembarking from ships, with the aim of limiting the risk of introducing the Genotype 2 virus which is circulating in Italy and Europe.
This morning, random checks were also activated in the Ponente seaport, in Porto Torres, after the concern and alarm over the reappearance of the terrible pig virus on the island. In the field, men from the Veterinary Services of the Animal Health Authority of Sassari, with the help of molecular dogs, have started a screening activity on goods arriving on the island in search of pork meat or goods potentially contaminated by the swine fever virus ( Psa).
«The protocol used for the training of molecular dogs, aimed at reporting the presence of pork or wild boar or their derivative products – explains the veterinarian of the ASL of Sassari, Bastianina Mossa, scientific director of the “AsfDog” project – exploits the exceptional olfactory property thanks to the particular anatomical conformation of dogs. Trained with a standardized methodology, they are able to discern the different Volatilomas (VOCs, metabolic volatile substances). The experience was born during the Covid-19 pandemic during which the dogs were trained to report people positive for Sars Cov2".
«This innovative project, also presented at an international level, underlines the importance of primary prevention – adds the general director of the Sassari Local Health Authority, Flavio Sensi -. In particular in the fight against infectious diseases transmissible to animals and humans. Which are the "core" of the Prevention Department, and demonstrate the high competence of our operators."
