Division 4

If dead or moribund pigs are detected in a suspected holding, post-mortem examinations must be carried out, preferably on at least five of these pigs and in particular on pigs:

• that before death have shown or are showing very evident signs of disease;

• with high fever;

• recently dead.

If these examinations have not shown lesions suggesting classical swine fever but, due to the epidemiological situation, further investigations are deemed necessary:

• a clinical examination, as laid down in subparagraph 3, and blood sampling as laid down in subparagraph 5 must be carried out in the sub-unit where the dead or moribund pigs were kept; and

• post-mortem examinations may be carried on 3 to 4 in-contact pigs.

Irrespective of the presence or absence of lesions suggesting classical swine fever, samples of the organs or tissues from pigs that have been subjected to post-mortem examination must be collected for virological tests in accordance with Chapter V B. 1 These samples must be preferably collected from recently dead pigs.

When post-mortem examinations are carried out the competent authority must ensure that:

• the necessary precautions and hygienic measures are taken to prevent any disease spread; and,

• in case of moribund pigs, they are killed in a humane way in accordance with Council Directive 93/119/EEC.