Poland: New ASF outbreak record reached

  Until early October, more ASF outbreaks were reported in Poland than in all of 2018. it was mainly small farms that suffered.

In recent days, a sad record for African swine fever (ASF) has been broken in Poland. Since the first appearance of the disease in 2014, there have never been as many outbreaks in agriculture as this year, according to the Supreme Veterinary Administration. According to official surveys, a total of 110 cases have been reported on pig farms since the beginning of the year. This means that the previous annual maximum of 2018, when 109 households were affected at that time, was already exceeded in early October. Several more outbreaks are expected before the end of the year, despite the usual seasonal lull.

The most recent outbreak hit a farm in Wielkopolska. They say that this is a small farm, which contains about 30 animals. However, local authorities are alarmed as there are reportedly more than 70 other farms within a 3 km radius of the latest outbreak alone, with approximately 4,000 pigs. In the extended circle of 10 km, there are more than 500 farms and more than 70,000 domestic pigs.