The 1997-1998 epidemic of classical swine fever in the Netherlands

In 1997, the pig husbandry in the Netherlands was struck by a severe epidem ic of classical swine fever (CSF). During this epidemic 429 CSF-infected he rds were depopulated and approximate to 1300 herds were slaughtered pre-emp tively. In addition millions of pigs of herds not CSF-infected were killed for welfare reasons (over crowding or overweight). In this paper, we descri be the course of the epidemic and the measures that were taken to control i t. The first outbreak was detected on 4 February 1997 in the pig dense south-e astern part of the Netherlands. We estimate that CSF virus (CSFV) had alrea dy been present in the country by that time for 5-7 weeks and that the viru s had been introduced into approximate to 39 herds before the eradication c ampaign started. This campaign consisted of stamping-out infected herds, mo vement restrictions and efforts to diagnose infected herds as soon as possi ble. However, despite these measures the rate at which new outbreaks were d etected continued to rise. The epidemic faded out only upon the implementat ion of additional measures such as rapid pre-emptive slaughter of herds in contact with or located near infected herds, increased hygienic measures, b iweekly screening of all herds by veterinary practitioners, and reduction o f the transportation movements for welfare reasons. The last infected herd was depopulated on 6 March 1998. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.