African swine fever: Prevention through cleaning

With the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Belgium, the virus has reached central Europe. Cases have long been known in some parts of eastern Europe, Sardinia, parts of Africa and China. The possibility of the disease being introduced into other central European countries as a result of holiday travel, hunting tourism or the transport of goods and animals can therefore no longer be excluded. Proper cleaning on the farm allows farmers to make an important contribution to protecting their livestock.

pig breeding

Protection through uncompromising hygiene

African swine fever (ASF) is a serious viral infection that affects only wild and domestic swine and can be fatal to them. The spread of African swine fever virus is often caused by the careless disposal of contaminated food waste. Uncompromising hygiene on the farm is an indispensable prerequisite for effectively protecting livestocks against the virus. The following steps should be taken to prevent the disease outbreak:

regulations and law

Step 1: Checking the organisation of the farm

In principle, it is absolutely essential to strictly follow the EU regulations on biosafety (Animal feed hygiene (EC 183/2005), Food hygiene (EC 852/2004), Food safety (EC 178/2002), Animal health law (EU 2016/429)).

In consultation with the farm vet, it is important to prevent the known transmission paths, i.e. contact to persons, animal feed, contaminated food, food and slaughterhouse waste, but also manure, equipment and vehicles (e.g. livestock transporters). Clothing must also be taken into consideration.

In practice, this means checking the organisation of the farm so that, if necessary, access restrictions to the sheds, the planning of and compliance with designated access and exit routes, fences for strictly ensuring that wild pigs are kept away, and the storage of animal feed and equipment can be adapted.

magnifier

Step 2: Checking the hygiene work

In addition, the hygiene work itself must be checked, and if necessary the cleaning in the shed units and associated rooms carried out, e.g. by means of the strict separation into black and white areas.

This separation into a dirty black area and a clean white area results not only in the strict adherence to regulations on showers and clothes changing for shed visitors and employees (as well as for the facility manager's family), but also the consistent cleaning of both areas in the sequence white before black. In this connection, in the white area the use of wet and dry vacuum cleaners and steam cleaners can significantly increase the effectiveness of the cleaning of walls, floors and wet areas, as well as objects such as lockers and shoes, and also considerably reduce the work time.

checklist

Step 3: Documentation of all measures

The documentation of all measures ensures a high degree of transparency and comprehensibility. Furthermore, it provides an overview in order to keep effort and expenditure under control even with high biosafety standards, while still guaranteeing optimum protection of the pigs on the farm.

ASF-Prevention at one glance

Please click on the single areas to find out more.

icon_arrow

stable cleaning with hot water

Improved results with hot water high-pressure cleaners

The use of hot-water high-pressure cleaners improves the result by up to 40 per cent, with the warmth accelerating the drying process of the cleaned areas. The time thus saved can be used, among other things, for the consistent repair of small cracks, gaps or holes in order to eliminate sources of contamination for bacteria and viruses. Rodents and other germ carriers are also kept outside. They should also be routinely combated outside the sheds as a precautionary measure. This additionally contributes to the interruption of the chains of infection.

cleaning outside

Requirements for the use of mobile high-pressure cleaners

The high level of biosafety that is ensured with stationary high-pressure cleaners that are permanently installed at a single location can also be achieved for mobile machines. For this purpose, the mobile high-pressure cleaner must always be kept outdoors or in the anteroom of the shed unit in order to prevent contact with the germs in the shed. As with the other tools in the facility, for each shed unit a hose and trigger gun with lance must be separately available. Here, it is important that in the case of hose lengths of over 60 m the hose diameter is checked and adjusted as necessary in order to prevent pressure losses.

You may also be interested in:

Avian flu: Protection through cleaning of the poultry house with a Kärcher hot water high-pressure cleaner

Avian flu: hygiene protects

The avian influenza caused by the influenza virus is highly contagious and means high economic losses for poultry farmers in the event of an outbreak in their own livestock. However, the disease can be prevented with strict bio-security and meticulous cleaning.

Controlling oak processionary moths with safety vacuum cleaners

Controlling oak processionary moths in an environmentally friendly manner

For some years now, the oak processionary moth has been on the rise. Where people live, it can become a health risk due to its poisonous stinging hairs. The right approach to tackling the insect is therefore decisive.

Maintenance of a green area with a Kärcher municipal machine

Maintenance of green and outdoor areas

In spring, a mammoth job lies ahead for municipalities: Lawn areas in parks need to be trimmed, weeds removed effectively and paths and parking spaces must be cleared of shrubs, dust and dirt. With expertise and the appropriate equipment it is possible to master the various tasks.

CONTACT

Kärcher Cleaning System Pvt. Ltd.
A-42/4, Sector-62, Noida - 201 309,
Uttar Pradesh

For Sales Query: info.in@kaercher.com
For Service Query: service.in@kaercher.com

Toll Free Customer Care No. 1800 1234 180
Working Hours: 09:00 hrs – 18:00 hrs (Mon-Sat)
(Closed on Sunday & Public Holidays)

SOCIAL MEDIA
CO₂-NEUTRAL WEBSITE