ASF Montenegro: 27th country in Europe to report virus occurrence
Yet another country in Eastern Europe has reported the emergence of African Swine Fever (ASF) within its borders. Montenegro is Europe’s 27th country to report the virus, since the virus emerged in the Caucasian area in 2008.
The authorities in Montenegro reported the finding of 2 carcasses of infected wild boar at 500 m from the border with Bosnia & Herzegovina. They were found close to the village Kovaci in the Nikšić region.
In neighbouring Bosnia & Herzegovina, the virus was confirmed for the 1st time in June 2023. By now, the virus managed to spread throughout that country. Authorities found 47 infected wild boar, but many more on smaller domestic pig farms. The death toll of infected domestic pigs and those culled due to ASF presence has risen to over 60,000. The majority of those cases occurred in the far north, close to the border with Serbia.
ASF in virtually all countries in Eastern Europe
By now, virtually all countries in Eastern Europe have reported outbreaks of African Swine Fever in either wild boar or its domestic population. Only Albania so far did not report outbreaks. As for neighbouring Kosovo, which declared itself independent in 2008, official data are lacking. The relatively young republic is not mentioned in the reports of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Of all countries that were faced with ASF outbreaks, only the Czech Republic and Belgium successfully managed to eradicate the virus. By now, the Czech Republic was confronted with novel outbreaks on another side of the country. In addition, Sweden appears to have its outbreaks under control fairly quickly – and there’s hope the country will be declared free from ASF in the fall of 2024.
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