As fears grow over outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in eastern Europe, and Moldova becomes the latest country to impose bans on certain pork meat and live animal imports, ASF is one of the "hottest" topics of discussion according to organisers of the 10th Annual EPIZONE conference this week, where leading scientists from The Pirbright Institute are presenting their research on this and other major virus diseases affecting livestock.
Scientists from across the world have gathered at the event to share new insights into controlling and monitoring devastating virus diseases such as ASF, bluetongue; foot-and-mouth and African horse sickness, that cost farmers and governments millions of pounds a year in lost revenue.
Institute scientists presenting and chairing sessions at the event include: Dr Linda Dixon (ASF); Dr Javier Castillo Olivares and Mine Aksular (African horse sickness); Dr Karin Darpel and Lyndsay Cooke (bluetongue).