African pig disease is now considered as being established in Georgia, Armenia and the southern part of the Russian Federation, says the statement issued on Thursday by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The statement says there is currently no vaccine for the disease, which is very often lethal to pigs but is not harmful to humans.

The FAO experts warn it poses threat to Europe and beyond as the number of long-distance outbreaks has increased this year. It is reported that Russia plans to set up a buffer zone next to the infected region, which may involve suspension of pig production in certain areas.

African Swine Fever (ASF) was introduced into Georgia from southern Africa late in 2006, entering through the Black Sea port of Poti, where garbage from a ship was taken to a dump where pigs came to feed.