Attitudes and Beliefs of Pig Farmers and Wild Boar Hunters Towards Reporting of African Swine Fever in Bulgaria, Germany and the Western Part of the Russian Federation

Abstract

SummaryThis study investigated the attitudes and beliefs of pig farmers and hunters in Germany, Bulgaria and the western part of the Russian Federation towards reporting suspected cases of African swine fever (ASF). Data was collected using a web-based questionnaire survey targeting pig farmers and hunters in these three study areas. Separate multivariable logistic regression models identified key variables associated with each of the three binary outcome variables whether or not farmers would immediately report suspected cases of ASF, whether or not hunters would submit samples from hunted wild boar for diagnostic testing and whether or not hunters would report wild boar carcasses. The results showed that farmers who would not immediately report suspected cases of ASF are more likely to believe that their reputation in the local community would be adversely affected if they were to report it, that they can control the outbreak themselves without the involvement of veterinary services and that laboratory confirmation would take too long. The modelling also indicated that hunters who did not usually submit samples of their harvested wild boar for ASF diagnosis and hunters who did not report wild boar carcasses are more likely to justify their behaviour through a lack of awareness of the possibility of reporting. These findings emphasize the need to develop more effective communication strategies targeted at pig farmers and hunters about the disease, its epidemiology, consequences and control methods, in order to increase the likelihood of early reporting, especially in the Russian Federation where the virus circulates.

Relevant Measures to Prevent the Spread of African Swine Fever in the European Union Domestic Pig Sector

“…A study carried out in Great Britain showed that English pig farmers had poor knowledge about ASF as well as limited concern about it (26). Vergne et al (102) also highlighted that the reasons for lack of immediate reporting in suspected ASF cases in Germany, the Russian Federation, and Bulgaria would be due to not knowing reporting procedures, fear that the report could have a negative impact on their reputation, and assuming they would be capable of handling the outbreak on their own. These studies (26, 102, 103) suggested that there is still room for improving farmers’ knowledge to bridge the gap between authorities and farmers and consequently help prevent the spread of ASF (39).…”

“…Vergne et al (102) also highlighted that the reasons for lack of immediate reporting in suspected ASF cases in Germany, the Russian Federation, and Bulgaria would be due to not knowing reporting procedures, fear that the report could have a negative impact on their reputation, and assuming they would be capable of handling the outbreak on their own. These studies (26, 102, 103) suggested that there is still room for improving farmers’ knowledge to bridge the gap between authorities and farmers and consequently help prevent the spread of ASF (39). Similarly, to be able to effectively influence farm workers, veterinarians, and hunters’ behavior, it is essential to analyze the “at-risk” practices that depended on human behavior which can perpetuate ASF spread and find out measures tailored to each specific situation.…”

Reproductive Ratio for the Local Spread of African Swine Fever in Wild Boars in the Russian Federation

“…There are many factors that may have influenced the difference in seasonality of cases in wild boars in the Russian Federation. These factors have been linked to ecology of wild boar, timing of spillovers from domestic pigs (EFSA, ) and could also be related to wild boar surveillance although the likelihood of reporting wild boar carcasses and harvested wild boar was low in the western part of the RF as many hunters are unaware of the possibility to report (Vergne et al., ).…”

Statistical Exploration of Local Transmission Routes for African Swine Fever in Pigs in the Russian Federation, 2007-2014

“…Indeed, the surveillance data are very likely to represent only a subset of all the outbreaks that occurred in the two regions. In addition, the reporting bias is likely to have varied in space and time as a result of the diversity of human behaviours associated with reporting of ASF suspicions (Vergne et al., ). Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the under‐reporting rate are known to potentially decrease the statistical power of the space‐time K ‐function.…”