RIGA, Latvia — A new outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was registered in Latvia on July 8 resulting in the culling of 49 pigs as reported by Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service.

The farm affected by ASF was put under a 3-km. protection zone where all the biosecurity measures are being taken to stop the spread of the disease.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recently said 129 wild boar cases were reported in the country as well.

“FVS reminds farmers who have pigs in the monitoring zone that it is prohibited to carry pigs between farms, as well as carry pigs and pork from the protection zone,” the report said. “FVS has commenced an epidemiological investigation to determine how the virus got in the enclosure.”

According to the OIE report for June 21- July 4, there have been major losses in China (1,589) Poland (675), Vietnam (455), Romania (314) and South Africa (146).

ASF is harmless to humans, but deadly to swine. The virus is transmissible via contaminated animal feed, premises, vehicles, equipment and clothing. Warthogs can be a reservoir for the virus and show no clinical signs of infection. Biting flies and ticks can transmit the disease by taking blood meals from an infected animal and passing on the virus to other susceptible animals. Pigs can become infected through direct contact with infected pigs, and garbage containing unprocessed infected pig meat also are vectors for transmission.