ASF in Italy: 6 farms infected in 4 northern provinces

Outbreaks have been confirmed in the provinces of Milan and Pavia (Lombardy), Novara (Piedmont), and Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna). Detailed information on the size of the affected farms has not yet been released.

The first outbreak began on July 24 at a breeding farm near Trecate, Novara province. Depending on the source, one or three animals died from the African swine fever virus. The remaining animals on the farm had to be culled.

The second outbreak also began on July 24, but in Besate, Milan Province, also on a breeding farm. Positive swabs were detected after animal mortality increased. A report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) lists the total number of pig deaths at 28.

The third outbreak, which began on July 26, occurred near Mortara, Pavia Province, again on a breeding farm. Positive swabs were taken from two dead sows.

A fourth outbreak was also detected in the province of Pavia on July 28, near the town of Gambolò. This time, four dead animals were found.

The fifth outbreak began on July 29 and occurred near the town of Vernate, Milan Province, approximately 10 km from Besate, where the infection was also detected on July 24. This was a relatively small farm where an increase in mortality was noted. The WOAH report cited 10 dead animals.

A sixth outbreak was confirmed on July 30 in the Emilia-Romagna region of Piacenza, near the town of Ponte dell'Olio. This farm also saw an increase in mortality and symptoms associated with ASF in some animals. According to the WOAH report, there were 31 infected animals on this farm , of which six had already died.

A total of 23 farms across Italy have reported infection with African swine fever virus genotype II since the virus reached the wild boar population in Italy in 2021. ASF virus genotype I has been endemic on the island of Sardinia for decades.