ASF cases decline in Europe

In September, there was a slight decrease in the number of African swine fever (ASF) infections among farmed or privately raised pigs in Europe. A total of 131 farms or pig holdings were infected, compared with 151 in July and 149 in August. The number of ASF cases in wild boars also continued to fall significantly, with 392 infected animals detected in September, down from 655 in July and 530 in August.

Last month, Romania recorded the highest number of ASF outbreaks on farms (56, compared with 69 in the previous month). Unlike August, September saw outbreaks in three large farms with more than 1,000 animals. Serbia and Croatia also reported numerous cases (37 and 26, respectively, compared with 40 and 2 in August). In both countries, only small farms with fewer than 10 pigs were affected. Additional small-scale outbreaks were reported in Estonia (1), Latvia (3), Lithuania (1), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Poland (2 each), and Ukraine (1).

The downward trend in ASF cases among wild boars continued. In September, 392 infected animals were detected in Europe, compared with 655 in July and 530 in August. The decline was particularly notable in Germany (50), Italy (7), and Poland (116), where infections dropped by more than half compared to August.

Source: Eurocarne