April 24, 2023

Fifty-five ASF outbreaks involving domestic pigs reported in EU in Q1

A total of 55 African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in domestic pigs and 2,799 in wild boar were reported in the European Union during the first quarter of 2023, according to the latest data published by the Animal Disease Information System (ADIS).

As in previous years, Poland continues to be the country with the highest number of outbreaks in wild boar. In 2021 and 2022, there were 3,221 and 1,266 reported outbreaks, respectively. From January to March this year, 1,020 outbreaks have been reported, indicating an increasing trend. On the other hand, no outbreaks in domestic swine have been reported in the country so far in 2023.

The number of outbreaks in wild boar in Hungary decreased significantly in 2022 with respect to the previous year (395 versus 2,584), but 209 outbreaks have been reported in the first quarter of 2023, so it is expected that the number of outbreaks this year will also be higher.

Romania saw a decrease in the number of outbreaks in wild boar in 2022 compared to 2021 (321 versus 1,671), but 171 outbreaks have already been reported in the first quarter of 2023. Concerning outbreaks in domestic pigs, 53 outbreaks have been reported during this quarter, making Romania the country with the highest number of reported outbreaks in the EU.

In Germany, 486 outbreaks in wild boar have already been reported in the first quarter of this year and one outbreak in domestic pigs was detected at the beginning of March on a small farm of 11 animals in the Brandenburg region.

Italy reported a higher number of outbreaks in wild boar in 2022 compared to 2021 (202 versus 15) and last year's number has already been exceeded in the first quarter of 2023, with a total of 286 outbreaks reported. Concerning outbreaks in domestic pigs, two outbreaks have been reported in the country.

In Greece, at the start of 2023, ASF reappeared in the north of the country, with two outbreaks reported in wild boar.

- Pig333