Simulation exercises: how to react in case of ASF

It would seem that African swine fever makes problems only for pig industry. But in fact it can harm all agrarian sector of the country. For example, it is forbidden to export not only pig livestock, but also other farm animals, meat products and crops from ASF-positive regions...

International organizations realize the danger and have been fighting this global problem during several years. In particular, this year the Government of Japan, UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) join forces and start the realization of a project «The African Swine Fever: risk awareness growth and decrease of risks in Ukraine.» Association of Pig Breeders of Ukraine was also engaged into cooperation.

The project started with two seminars-simulations in Kyiv and Poltava. Susan Rasmussen, FAO’s international expert was specially invited to supervise them. The main goal of these meetings was to develop the potential on African swine fever outbreak management in Ukraine on different levels. «In fact, you have to act in a way you have a real outbreak. You need to follow the instructions, the scenario.» — Mrs. Rasmussen addressed to the participants.

The event united the representatives of state veterinary authorities as well as veterinarians from households. All of them were divided into four levels: national, regional, level of districts and farms. Experts of state laboratories were also invited for overall assurance of the simulation. Every group has to act in accordance with the valid «Instruction on prevention and fight against the African Swine Fever».

The situation of ASF suspicion was simulated. The participants got the data about farm and the description of recent events to define the potential ways of disease entering the household.

The separate subgroup was working within the seminar. It was targeted to calculate the economic losses caused by the disease. Thus, according to figures, 900 pigs household would have 2.4-2.8 mln UAH of direct loss, including the cost of slaughtered animals and costs associated with restriction of grain and feed usage. In addition, losses of state and local budget could rise to almost 1 mln UAH, including the costs of euthanasia, animal slaughtering, disinfection, labor exchange and tax dodging.

At the end of the seminar-simulation, the representatives of all groups compared notes and results.

So, the veterinarians of households shared that they felt themselves as Sherlock while trying to find the ways of disease entering the farm. They noted the lack of detailed information. But the organizers noticed the participants had had to communicate more, ask questions to get the needed data. Besides that, it was the very first experience of such simulation in Ukraine. That’s why the difficult scenario could entrap the participants and it would need more people for its acting out.

Representatives of state authorities also had remarks. Working in «real conditions» they mentioned the lack of personnel, as the staff was physically unable to adapt the amount of coming information. By the way, the simulation exercises helped to understand that the Instruction on reacting is imperfect. About 90% of responsibility while ASF outbreak lies on veterinary service, but it’s not correct. Moreover, some of Instruction’s items are controversial and can be treated as illegal. That’s why, in conclusion representatives of state authorities asked to pay attention to the Instruction’s improvement.

On regional and national levels, the importance of observation the biosecurity on farms was mentioned. It is impossible to neglect the change of clothes, quarantine and disinfectant barriers. The need of such simulations was also evaluated: «We need more such meetings. Seminars help to understand mistakes, to orient what actions have to be done by every specialist.»

The next seminar series, devoted to African swine fever, is planned for Autumn.