Resolution No. 496 of 2016 of Georgian Government on Approving Diagnostic Manual for African Swine Fever

The Resolution lays down rules for diagnosis of African swine fever. It consists 27 articles: Purpose and scope of application (1); Definition of terms (2); General provisions (3); Severe form of African swine fever (4); Sub-severe form of African swine fever (5); Chronic form of African swine fever (6); Results assessment after suspicion of African swine fever (7); Clinical assessment and taking samples from suspicious stall of pigs (8); Taking samples in case pig is killed when African swine fever is confirmed (9); Taking samples when pigs are killed in suspected stall as preventive measures (10); Taking samples in controlled areas before pigs may be slaughtered (11); Taking samples during repopulation (12); Taking samples in protected zones before restrictions are lifted (13); Taking samples in controlled zones before restrictions are lifted (14); Monitoring and taking samples from the areas where there is a suspicion or a confirmed case of African swine fever in wild (stray) pigs (15); General requirements for collecting samples (16); Collecting samples for virus diagnostics (17); Transporting samples (18); Identifying virus anti-gene - direct immunofluorescence test (DIFT) (19); Identification of virus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (20); Separating and identifying virus through Haemadsorption test (HAD) (21); Identification of virus genome (22); Recommended virus diagnostics and result assessment (23); Genetic description of isolates of African swine fever (24); Serologic research principles and significance of diagnostics (25); Recommended serologic research methods (26); and Minimum safety requirements imposed on laboratories working on African swine fever (27). The Resolution also includes Annex 1 on Biological Containment Principles for Laboratories Working on African Swine Fever; and Annex 2 on Biological Safety Requirements for Vivarium of Experimental Animals. The Manual is designed to be used by the National Food Agency of Georgia and laboratories working on African swine fever.