According to the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, the wild boar population in Prykarpattia continues to grow: in 2025 alone, it increased by 635 animals. In more than half of the hunting grounds in the region, wild boar density exceeds the recommended threshold of 3–4 animals per 1,000 hectares.
Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 11 ASF-affected locations were recorded in the region, with 64% of cases linked to wild boar as the source of infection. The situation has been exacerbated by hunting restrictions during 2022–2025 due to martial law, which contributed to population growth, as well as migration of animals from conflict-affected areas.
To curb the spread of the disease, regional authorities have implemented wild boar population control measures. Over two months, 250 animals were culled, with ASF confirmed in four of them. This confirms ongoing virus circulation in wild fauna and highlights the need for continued population management.
The State Service also emphasizes the importance of compliance with disease control measures by all hunting ground users. In one case, termination of a hunting management agreement has already been initiated due to failure to comply with decisions of the regional defense council.
Despite existing risks, six ASF-affected locations were eliminated in 2025, and the region is currently considered ASF-free.
Experts stress that African swine fever remains one of the most dangerous diseases for the sector, characterized by high contagiousness and mortality rates of up to 100%, with no effective vaccine or treatment available.
In this context, raising awareness among producers is critically important. The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, together with leading industry experts, has developed an online course “African Swine Fever — Everything Business Needs to Know,” available on the AgriAcademy platform.
The course covers all key aspects of ASF control—from transmission mechanisms to modern approaches in diagnostics and biosecurity. It consists of five modules with practical assignments, is available at any time, and provides participants with a certificate upon completion.
The training is FREE of charge and available at:
https://courses.agriacademy.org/courses/course-v1:FAO+ASF+2024Q4/about
Given the ongoing risks of virus introduction and spread, experts urge pig producers to actively use available educational tools and strengthen biosecurity measures on farms.