The number of outbreaks of African swine fever in the EU decreased in 2022

“Over the past decade, African swine fever has had a profound impact on the pig sector in the EU and continues to undermine local and regional economies. Although our latest report shows encouraging signs that efforts to contain the spread of the virus are bearing fruit. But the picture in the EU is by no means always positive, and we must remain vigilant. Farmers, hunters and veterinarians play a particularly important role in reporting suspected cases,” said Bernhard Url, Executive DIRECTOR of EFSA.

In 2022, outbreaks of ASF in domestic pigs in the EU decreased by 79% compared to 2021. The decline was particularly pronounced in Romania, Poland and Bulgaria. In contrast, Lithuania recorded a slight increase, driven by a cluster of outbreaks recorded in the summer in the southwestern part of the country.

Outbreaks in domestic pigs have been reported by eight EU countries (Bulgaria, Germany , Italy , Latvia, Lithuania, Poland , Romania and Slovakia) and four neighboring non-EU countries (Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine ). Romania was the most affected country in the EU with 327 outbreaks, representing 87% of the total number of outbreaks in the EU. Serbia was the most affected non-EU country included in the report, with 107 outbreaks. ASF was first reported in North Macedonia.

For wild boars, there were 40% fewer cases reported in the EU in 2022 compared to 2021. This is the first decrease in ASF cases in wild boars in the area since the virus emerged in 2014. Eleven EU Member States (Czech Republic, Estonia and Hungary in addition to Member States with outbreaks in domestic pigs) and four non-EU countries (Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine) reported cases of ASF in wild boars.

To support ongoing efforts to control the spread of the virus, EFSA is extending its StopASF campaign in 2023. The campaign raises awareness among farmers, hunters and veterinarians in the EU and neighboring countries on how to detect, prevent and report ASF.