June 27, 2023

ASF confirmed for first time in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina has recorded its first occurrence of African swine fever (ASF).

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) confirmed the virus was detected via polymerase chain reaction at the PI Veterinary Institute of Republic of Srpska on June 22. The affected pig was from a farm near Bijeljina, in the northeast part of the country, near the border with Serbia.

According to a recent report published by the European Food Safety Authority, the number of outbreaks of ASF in pigs and cases reported in wild boar in the European Union fell considerably in 2022 compared to the previous year. In 2022, ASF outbreaks among domestic pigs in the European Union decreased by 79% compared to 2021.

Eight EU countries (Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) and four non-EU neighbouring countries (Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine) reported outbreaks in domestic pigs. Romania was the most affected EU country with 327 outbreaks, representing 87% of the total EU outbreaks. Serbia was the most affected non-EU country of those included in the report, with 107 outbreaks.

Concerning wild boar, 40% fewer cases were reported in the EU during 2022 compared to 2021. Eleven EU Member States (Czechia, Estonia and Hungary in addition to the member states with outbreaks among domestic pigs) and four non-EU countries (Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine) notified ASF cases in wild boar.

- National Hog Farmer