The outbreak was detected at a farm in Vaiņode parish (Dienvidkurzeme municipality). According to the PVD, disease control measures, enhanced monitoring, and an epidemiological investigation have already been initiated at the facility. To contain the disease, culling will begin in the infected housing units, and the exact number of pigs on the farm is expected to be confirmed in the coming days. The eradication process is expected to take at least two weeks.
A quarantine zone has been established around the farm, within which the PVD will carry out additional inspections of pig health and compliance with biosecurity requirements at other holdings. Restrictions have also been imposed on the movement of pigs and pig products within the control zone.
Vaiņodes bekons representative Artūrs Eglītis said it is currently unclear how the virus entered the farm, and the source of infection is being investigated jointly with the PVD. As the pigs are kept in several separate units, the company is working with the state service to avoid having to cull the entire herd.
The PVD noted that the main natural reservoir of ASF is wild boar. According to official data, 83 ASF cases in wild boar have been confirmed in Latvia since the start of the year across 37 parishes in 13 municipalities. In total, since ASF was first registered in the country in June 2014, the virus has been detected in 11,294 wild boar.
Vaiņodes bekons is a notable player in Latvia’s pig sector: in 2024, the company reported turnover of €5.94 million, while profit fell to €203.6 thousand.
PigUA.info based on materials from bnn-news.com