Switzerland slaughters or kills 10,500 pigs in disease response

About 10,500 pigs have been slaughtered or killed across Switzerland after contracting enzootic pneumonia, SRF reported on Tuesday. Nearly half, around 5,200, were on farms in Lucerne canton.

The outbreak was reported to Lucerne’s veterinary service on September 9 in a pig network, a group of farms that share the work of breeding and fattening pigs. Animals move between farms as they grow, allowing the bacterial lung disease to spread quickly.

Authorities ordered affected barns to be emptied to break the chain of infection. Healthy pigs could be sent to slaughter and their meat used; others had to be killed. In Lucerne, 10 breeding farms were cleared, with about 4,500 pigs slaughtered or killed. Another 700 pigs were removed from a fattening farm in the network.

Farmers and veterinary staff found the measures emotionally difficult, Lucerne cantonal veterinarian Martin Brügger told SRF. A support team was available to farmers but was not needed.

Farms must clean and disinfect their barns, leave them empty for at least 10 days and pass an inspection before keeping animals there again. Authorities said there was no evidence of infection outside the pig network, but investigations and checks at nearby farms were continuing.

As of a September 21 update, the disease had affected 20 breeding farms in six cantons and 40 fattening farms in 14 cantons. In Solothurn, about 1,200 young pigs from two farms were exported alive, while around 80 sows and 50 young pigs were slaughtered. About 930 animals that could not be exported or slaughtered were killed. Security and monitoring measures were still under way at a third farm there.

Farmers whose animals are slaughtered or killed on official orders are eligible for compensation. Business losses are not covered and must be insured privately. Vaccination against enzootic pneumonia is prohibited in Switzerland, and the disease does not pose a risk to people.