The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Emergency Management Centre for Animal Health (EMC-AH) launched an African swine fever (ASF) ‘Response’ mission to Cambodia on 27-31 May 2019 to assist the Government in its efforts to prevent, detect and control the spread of the disease in the country. The mission was conducted in partnership with FAO Cambodia, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). Mission team members consulted with animal health officials on actions to prevent the further spread of ASF, stamp it out and prevent reoccurrence.

An outbreak of ASF was recently reported in the province of Ratanakiri, bordering Viet Nam, a country that is currently responding to an ASF outbreak within its own pig population. Upon official request from the Cambodian animal health authorities, a team including experts from FAO and OIE was deployed to the country where they met with multiple stakeholders, including government officials and private sector representatives. The FAO Representative for Cambodia, Mr Alexander Huynh, also joined the mission. During discussions with the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, His Excellency Veng Sakhon, the mission team advised the animal health services on measures for preventing the spread of the disease, ensuring effective biosecurity and drafting clear ASF messaging to keep the public informed. GDAHP staff also met with the mission delegates to bring them up to speed on their specific requirements and the status of ASF in the country at that time.

The virus is very stable, survives for a long time outside the host and can spread easily among the pig population. It is important to note that ASF does not pose a human health risk. It only infects domestic and wild pigs. The virus can also survive for long periods in preserved pork products (salted, dried or cured) and feeding swill can spread the virus to non-infected pigs. At this time, there is no effective vaccine or cure for the disease. The disease is controlled through culling of infected animals, strict border and movement control, proper biosecurity measures and preventative action.

Relevant links:

FAO Cambodia ASF news:

http://www.fao.org/cambodia/news/detail-events/en/c/1189699/

Latest situation updates in South East Asia: 

http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/empres/ASF/situation_update.html

Good Emergency Management Practices (GEMP) guide:

http://www.fao.org/3/a-ba0137e.pdf

FAO Emergency Management Centre for Animal Health (EMC-AH)

http://www.fao.org/emergencies/how-we-work/prepare-and-respond/emc-ah/en/