ASF Italy: 6 farms infected in 4 provinces in the north

A sow on a farm in Italy. This farm is not related to the outbreaks. Photo: Vincent ter Beek

Not only is Germany fighting with African Swine Fever (ASF), but also in Italy the virus has found its way again to swine farms. In the northern regions, 6 farms have reported infections, with altogether at least 76 infected pigs.

The outbreaks were confirmed in the provinces Milan and Pavia (region of Lombardy), Novara (Piedmont region) and Piacenza (Emilia Romagna region). So far no detailed information has been released about the size of the infected farms.

The 1st outbreak began on 24 July on a breeding farm near Trecate, Novara province. Depending on the source that is consulted, either 1 or 3 animals had died due to the ASF virus. The rest of the animals on the farm had to be culled, just like all the others in the overview.

African Swine Fever in Belgium? Don t panic! Photo: Shutterstock — **AFRICAN SWINE FEVER**: Here you can find the latest information on the African Swine Fever virus – outbreaks, what you can do to prevent ASF entering your farm and updates in the search for a cure. Click here…

The 2nd outbreak also began on 24 July, but in Besate, Milan province, also on a breeding farm. Positive swabs were found after increased mortality occurred. The overview shared by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) mentioned a total number of 28 pigs that had died.

The 3rd outbreak, which began on 26 July, occurred near Mortara, Pavia province, again on a breeding farm. Positive swabs were carried out on 2 dead sows.

The 4th outbreak was also found in Pavia province, on 28 July near a town called Gambolò. This time, 4 animals had been found dead.

The 5th outbreak began on 29 July and occurred near the town of Vernate, Milan province, about 10 km from Besate, where the infection was also detected on 24 July. This was a relatively small farm which noted an increase in mortality. The WOAH report spoke of 10 dead animals.

The 6th outbreak, to close off, was confirmed on 30 July, in Emilia-Romagna region in the province of Piacenza, near the town Ponte dell’Olio. This farm also noticed an increase in mortality and symptoms attributable to ASF in some animals. According to the WOAH report, this farm had 31 infected animals, of which 6 had already died.

Altogether, in the whole of Italy, now 23 farms have reported an infection with African Swine Fever virus, genotype II, ever since the virus reached Italy’s wild boar population in 2021. ASF virus, genotype I has been endemic on the island of Sardinia for decades.