SOFIA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria would take strengthened measures to prevent the further spread of African swine fever, the country's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Desislava Taneva said here on Wednesday.
To date, Bulgarian authorities have confirmed 15 cases of African swine fever in domestic pigs and 15 in wild boars, Taneva said at a press conference following a meeting of the Central Epizootic Council.
The transportation of meat, meat products and live animals, which can potentially spread the infection, would be prohibited in the areas around the outbreaks, Taneva said. Each vehicle would also be checked, she said.
Waste in ports, airports and railway stations would be disinfected in order to reduce the risk of spreading the disease, Taneva said.
In addition, the wild boar population in the country's national parks will be reduced, she said.
There is no cure and vaccine for this disease, and for Bulgaria "the problem is extremely serious," Taneva said.
The pig-breeding sector, whose output was worth nearly 143 million U.S. dollars last year, is under threat, she said.
The first case of African swine fever in domestic pigs in Bulgaria this year was reported on July 3.
