In 2023, 14 EU member states were affected by African swine fever (ASF). This caused 5x as many outbreaks in domestic pigs compared to the previous year. This is according to the latest annual epidemiological report published by EFSA on 16 May 2024.

Croatia and Romania reported 96% of African swine fever outbreaks

For domestic pigs, 2023 saw the highest number of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks since 2014. Croatia and Romania reported 96% of the total number of outbreaks (1,929). The number of outbreaks in wild boar increased by 10% in 2023 compared to the previous year. The virus was first introduced in Sweden and Croatia and spread to new areas in Italy. It also reappeared in Greece after a two-year break. Germany, Hungary and Slovakia saw the epidemiological situation in their countries improve and the number of wild boar outbreaks decreased.

Opinion: passive surveillance African swine fever

EFSA's experts recommend passive surveillance, including searching and testing of wild boar carcasses, rather than active surveillance, including testing of hunted wild boar for the detection of ASF outbreaks. Passive surveillance, in particular noticing clinical signs of the disease, also remains the main way to detect ASF in pig farms. Therefore, farmers and veterinarians play a particularly important role in reporting suspected cases. In October 2024, EFSA will issue a scientific opinion reviewing the risk factors for the emergence, spread and persistence of ASF virus in wild boar populations and in domestic pigs.

Reports:

Epidemiological analysis of African swine fever in the European Union during 2023

Survival of African swine fever virus in feed, bedding materials and mechanical vectors and their potential role in virus transmission