In Laos, the first cases after a brief lull were confirmed in early July in the north-western province of Xayaboury. Since then, according to data submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the virus has also spread to Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, areas around the capital Vientiane, and Xaisomboun.
Most reports do not specify the number of affected animals, but in cases where complete data are available, nearly 18,400 pigs were affected in total. In addition, 69 wild pigs tested positive for ASF at two locations.
Most registered outbreaks are located close to the border with Thailand. A further three outbreaks were confirmed in the far north of Laos, near the borders with Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province.
According to the latest figures announced by representatives of Laos’ Ministry of Agriculture on 24 September, just over 10,000 pigs have died from ASF in the country, while a further 3,961 animals were culled. Total economic losses are estimated at 58.8 billion Lao kip, or around $2.5 million. Cases have now been detected in seven provinces, including Houaphanh in the north-east.
In the southern province of Champasak, local authorities have tightened veterinary controls: movements of live pigs and pork between districts and provinces have been suspended, while imports from abroad have been banned.
ASF Activity in the Philippines Increases from August
In the Philippines, the number of outbreaks in the first half of 2026 was lower than in the same period last year. However, the situation deteriorated from August.
As of 24 September, ASF had been reported in 13 of the country’s 18 regions. Central Luzon was the most affected, with active outbreaks in 122 localities, followed by the Negros Island Region with 39.
Over the past two weeks, the disease appears to have re-emerged in Calabarzon on the island of Luzon and in Central Visayas.
In Cebu City, three ASF “hotspots” were identified last week. After nearly 60 infected pigs were detected and culled, authorities established checkpoints to monitor animal movements.
Pig owners are being urged to allow blood sampling for surveillance, report suspicious animal deaths and refrain from burying dead pigs themselves.
Cases Also Reported in Other Countries in the Region
At the end of August, ASF was confirmed in pigs in two villages in Thailand’s eastern Ubon Ratchathani province.
In Myanmar’s Shan State, ASF was suspected late last month as the cause of death of around 40 pigs. Against the backdrop of a worsening situation in neighbouring countries, Cambodia’s livestock association called for tighter controls on imports of live pigs and pork products.
In Nepal, new outbreaks were confirmed in Bagmati Province in August and in Lumbini Province in September.
China, meanwhile, has prohibited commercial farms producing more than 500 pigs per year from feeding untreated kitchen waste since mid-August. Violations may result in fines of up to 100,000 yuan, as well as possible suspension or termination of operations.
Europe Records 728 Outbreaks in Domestic Pigs Since the Start of the Year
The ASF situation also remains challenging in Europe. As of 23 September, 728 outbreaks in domestic pigs had been recorded across 12 countries in the region. The highest numbers were reported in Romania (310), Serbia (217) and Croatia (130).
Among wild boar, 6,640 outbreaks have been recorded in 18 countries since the beginning of the year. Poland leads with 1,693 cases, followed by Italy (1,084), Lithuania (858), Germany (707) and Hungary (619).
Separately, EU countries agreed to allocate €12.5 million to compensate Italian pig producers for costs and losses associated with ASF control measures between November 2024 and April 2025. Payments are to be made by the end of May 2027.
PigUA.info, based on materials from feedstrategy.com