Swine fever: checks begin in the port of Porto Torres

Swine fever forces the Region to create a sanitary cordon and tight controls in the ports to check incoming goods and animals.

This morning the investigations also began in the Ponente seaport, in Porto Torres, after the concern and alarm over the reappearance of the terrible pig virus on the island. Men from the ASL animal health services are in the field with the help of the traffic police, energy and resources. «The checks are carried out to mitigate the risk of introduction into Sardinia of the African swine fever virus which is circulating in Italy and Europe», explains Franco Sgarangella, coordinator of the Sardinian veterinary service for African swine fever. “The risk factors are not only animals but also pork products,” he added.

The checks concern private vehicles, trucks, campers and tourist coaches. The system made it possible to trace some batches suspected of contamination. Molecular dogs will also be used to identify risky situations.

The disease appeared in the Sardinian countryside in 2018, first in domestic pigs and from the beginning of 2019 in wild boars.