For the first time since 2014, the number of EU Member States affected by ASF also decreased – from 14 to 13 – as Sweden was declared ASF-free and no new countries reported infections. While most Member States experienced only sporadic cases, Romania remained the most heavily affected, accounting for 66% of all domestic pig outbreaks. Most of these cases (78%) were detected on small farms with fewer than 100 pigs.
Meanwhile, the number of ASF outbreaks in wild boar remained stable compared to 2022. According to EFSA, 30% of all wild boar outbreaks were reported by Poland.
The report also highlights an increase in passive surveillance efforts in affected Member States. This method, which involves investigating suspected disease cases, led to the detection of around 80% of ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs and 70% in wild boar across the EU. EFSA scientists recommend that countries continue to prioritize passive surveillance and, during high-risk periods and in risk-prone areas, implement systematic sampling of dead animals (enhanced passive surveillance) to ensure early detection of the disease.
Useful for Producers: Online Course on ASF
The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders together with leading industry experts offers a specialized online course, “African Swine Fever — Everything the Business Needs to Know,” available on the AgriAcademy educational platform.
The course is designed for owners, managers, and employees of pig farms, as well as other industry stakeholders who seek to minimize risks associated with African swine fever (ASF) and protect their businesses from critical losses.
During the course, participants will gain:
- up-to-date knowledge on the nature of ASF and the mechanisms of its spread;
- an understanding of key risk factors and the findings of recent research;
- practical tools for assessing biosecurity risks at the farm level;
- clear action protocols in the event of suspected or confirmed outbreaks;
- recommendations on preventive measures and long-term farm protection;
- examples of practical experience from enterprises that have already faced ASF-related challenges.
Training format:
All materials are presented in the form of concise, well-structured video modules that can be viewed at any convenient time.
The course is free of charge, subject to prior registration.
You can join the course via the following link: https://courses.agriacademy.org/courses/course-v1:FAO+ASF+2024Q4/about