ASF in the EU in June: 89 new cases

After a 1.5 year presence in the EU, African Swine Fever (ASF) has made a firm entrance into the Baltic wild boar population and is likely to stay for a while. In June 2015 alone, the 4 affected countries jointly reported 89 new occurrences of the disease.

ASF in Latvia and Estonia

The most recent figures, as supplied by the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE), show that most ASF activity in the summer season so far has occurred in the border region between Latvia and Estonia, just north west of the city Valga. Some incidental findings of wild boars carrying ASF in Estonia were also found more west, towards the border with Russia.

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UPDATED: Follow the path of African Swine Fever through Europe

African Swine Fever is definitely not only ‘African’, as for many years the virus has been present in Russia’s swine herd. The ASF virus is now knocking on the doors of the European Union.

ASF in Poland

Fascinating is the development of African Swine Fever in the east of Poland. The OIE figures present a picture of findings in a zone within 10-15 km from the border with Belarus. Further spreading, just like in the Baltic states, seems to be prevented.

Other European states, however, keep a close watch on the development of the virus. The virus thrives in hotter temperatures, which is reflected in 89 new cases in all EU countries in June 2015 only. So far, only one of these occurred on a backyard farm in Daugavpils County, affecting 18 pigs.

Pig Progress recently travelled to Lithuania and compiled a special report on Rupinskai Farm, the first commercial pig farm in the EU to be struck by African Swine Fever. Read the article What happens if African Swine Fever strikes or watch the video Rebuilding after ASF – An on-farm account.