Descriptive epidemiology of a Classical Swine Fever outbreak in the Limburg Province of Belgium in 1997

This paper describes the epidemiological characteristics of the 1997 Classi cal Swine Fever (CSF) outbreak that occurred in the Limburg Province of Bel gium, where there is a policy of non-vaccination, intensive surveillance an d eradication. Between 30 June and 17 July 1997, eight herds, located in th ree different areas, were confirmed to be CSF-positive, CSF virus was trans mitted from the primary infected herd of one area to another five herds in the same ara and to one herd in a different ara. The mode of virus introduc tion for this primary infected herd and for the one herd that was not infec ted by this primary herd could not be determined. Clinical, serological, an d virological findings indicate that the CSF-infected herds were detected i n an early stage of the infection. The early detection of the infection tog ether wit a preventive stamping out procedure resulted in a rapid eliminati on of the CSF virus. A total of 46 561 pigs were slaughtered to control the spread of the infection. Another 27 579 pigs were slaughtered in the frame work of the market support. The total direct costs of the episode were esti mated at E 10 893 337.