Fiji prepares against possible outbreak of African Swine Fever

Fiji is continuing to prepare against a possible outbreak of African Swine Fever despite recording no cases of the virus.

More than 120 staff from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and the Ministry of Agriculture are attending a week-long training programme on the pig killing disease.

The virus does not affect humans and there are no vaccines to treat infected animals.

There are 30,000 families in Fiji that raise pigs.

Fiji is currently free of the virus but it is a threat to the Pacific as it is now present in Papua New Guinea.

BAF Acting Chief Executive Officer Surend Pratap says the training will also be delivered to their staff in other divisions.

Pratap says it is important to ensure that border protection against the virus is maintained and our capacity to respond to exotic diseases such as this is strengthened.