Vets recommend early pig-slaughter in 13 Slovak villages

The Regional Veterinary and Food Authority in Košice on Thursday released a "recommendation" for pig breeders in 13 villages in eastern Slovakia to slaughter pigs as soon as possible. They should do so regardless of the age and weight of their pigs as a measure to tackle the spread of the African swine fever virus. The 13 villages have been declared "high-risk areas" after the virus was identified there in pigs and wild boars. Pig-killing products should only be used by the farmers themselves and should not be transported outside their village of residence. A total of 21 cases of African swine fever have been registered in pigs and wild boars in eastern Slovakia since the summer, with the latest case reported in a wild boar in early November.