Surprise, surprise, surprise! The Republic of Georgia is having an outbreak of African Swine Fever. Bashkiria has introduced a quarantine. This in conjunction with the announcement that the Republic of Georgia will be sending scientists to Plum Island Biological Warfare Laboratory in the US for access and training especially for African Swine Fever, amongst other pathogens.

From www.promedmail.org a website that monitors infectious disease:

Date: Mon 11 Aug 2008

Source: Podrobnosti.UA [Trans. Mod.NR, edited]

<http://www.podrobnosti.ua/accidents/outbreaks/2008/08/11/546228.html >

African swine fever rampant in North Ossetia

The spread of African swine fever [ASF] in Northern Ossetia can pose a worse threat than avian flu. More than 1500 animals have already

died as a result of this disease. In spite of the state of emergency declared in Northern Ossetia, the spread continues. Experts predict

that the disease will soon cover the whole country without effective means to control it.

The 1st cases of this exotic disease have been recorded also in the Orenburg region, and there is danger of the disease, carried by

swine, [mechanically] by humans, animal feed and transport [vehicles].

Astrakhan veterinarians are already preparing for the possible advance of the deadly disease, and local officials there have

increased security measures. The authorities are applying a radical approach, appealing to the local population with the proposal, as a

matter of urgency, to slaughter their pigs and immediately consume their meat.

[Since our previous posting on the ASF situation in the Caucasus, subscribers have become -- due to unfortunate circumstances -- more

familiar with the region’s geography and political divisions; see map at

http://www.colorado.edu/ibs/waroutcomes/pics/ethnicMap.jpg

It doesn’t appear as much but it is being recommended that people not take their swine or swine products with them when they relocate which would result spread the virus.  The option is famine.