Klein Leonie, Gerdes Ursula, Blome Sandra, Campe Amely, Grosse Beilage Elisabeth
Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health in the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University for Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
Niedersaechsische Tierseuchenkasse (Animal Disease Fund), Bruehlstrasse 9, 30169, Hannover, Germany.
Porcine Health Manag. 2024 Mar 11;10(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s40813-024-00365-x.
Since its first introduction into the German wild boar population in 2020, African swine fever (ASF) has been spreading slowly from the eastern border westwards and has been introduced into eight domestic pig farms thus far. The European Food Safety Authority has named deficits in farm biosecurity and increased human activity as major risk factors for the introduction of the ASF virus into pig farms. Studies have shown that pig farms in Germany generally have a high level of biosecurity. However, veterinary practitioners and policy-makers have expressed concerns that not all pig farmers are appropriately prepared to deal with the threat of ASF. This study aimed to evaluate the level of biosecurity on pig farms in Lower Saxony and explore the reasons for deficits in the implementation of biosecurity measures. For this purpose, pig farmers were interviewed in open structured face-to-face interviews about their perception of ASF and biosecurity, and the implemented measures on their farms were assessed with a checklist. In the data analysis, the farmers' answers and the results of the biosecurity check were compared to gain further insights into the factors influencing the implementation of biosecurity measures on the farms.
The biosecurity check showed that on most farms, a high level of biosecurity had been implemented. Nevertheless, deficits were found concerning the fences and the delimitation of clean and dirty areas on farm grounds and in the anteroom. Overall, the farmers were well informed about ASF and had a realistic perception of their own biosecurity. They considered the farm layout, financial means and practicality of hygiene measures to be the main barriers to implementing biosecurity measures against ASF. However, the results also suggested that farmers' attitudes and legal regulations were major influencing factors.
The results indicated a high level of biosecurity against ASF on most pig farms and a realistic perception of their own biosecurity by the farmers. Current knowledge transfer and information should focus on building upon the farmers' own motivation and expertise and supporting them to put existing knowledge into practice.
自2020年首次传入德国野猪种群以来，非洲猪瘟（ASF）一直从东部边境缓慢向西蔓延，迄今已传入8个家养猪场。欧洲食品安全局指出，农场生物安全方面的缺陷以及人类活动增加是ASF病毒传入猪场的主要风险因素。研究表明，德国的猪场普遍具有较高的生物安全水平。然而，兽医从业者和政策制定者担心并非所有养猪户都做好了应对ASF威胁的充分准备。本研究旨在评估下萨克森州猪场的生物安全水平，并探究生物安全措施实施存在缺陷的原因。为此，通过开放式结构化面对面访谈询问养猪户对ASF和生物安全的看法，并使用清单评估其农场实施的措施。在数据分析中，将养殖户的回答与生物安全检查结果进行比较，以进一步深入了解影响农场生物安全措施实施的因素。
生物安全检查表明，大多数农场已实施了较高水平的生物安全措施。然而，在农场场地和前厅的围栏以及清洁区和脏污区的划分方面仍存在缺陷。总体而言，养殖户对ASF有充分了解，对自身生物安全有现实的认知。他们认为农场布局、资金状况和卫生措施的实用性是实施针对ASF的生物安全措施的主要障碍。然而，结果还表明，养殖户的态度和法律法规是主要影响因素。
结果表明，大多数猪场针对ASF的生物安全水平较高，养殖户对自身生物安全有现实的认知。当前的知识转移和信息应侧重于基于养殖户自身的积极性和专业知识，并支持他们将现有知识付诸实践。
