21 June 2022

Mark Hovari, animal health preparedness expert visited Albania from 13 – 16 June to deliver workshops on animal health risk assessment and on African swine fever (ASF) and pig farm biosecurity. During his visit Mark met with multiple stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD), National Authority of Veterinary and Plant Protection (AKVMB), National Food Authority (AKU), Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (FSVI) and the Hunters Federation. Mark also visited the regional AKVMB office in Shkoder where he met with service veterinarians followed by visits to some local pig farms to speak directly to farmers.

ASF is a viral and infectious disease that affects pigs and wild boar. Although it is harmless to humans, it is deadly for pigs and wild boar and has serious consequences for the pig sector. In recent years it has spread across Europe and is present in the Balkans

ASF can be transmitted either through direct contact between sick and healthy animals or via indirect contact with infected material (vehicles, clothes, boots etc). It can also be transmitted through contaminated food (e.g. sausages or uncooked meat). Whilst it is safe for humans to eat pork, the meat and other pork products derived from infected animals remain infectious for pigs and wild boar over a long time.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have produced a range of materials to raise awareness on how various stakeholders can play their role in controlling and preventing the spread of ASF.

This action is funded by the European Union and is implemented by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in partnership with the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and The Marine, the Finnish Food Safety Authority and Creative Business Solutions (CBS), Albania.

Photos taken during workshops in Tirana and Shkodra