African swine fever remains widespread across Europe

Although the number of African swine fever (ASF) cases declined in the first half of 2026, the disease continues to pose a serious threat across Europe. According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, 5.69 thousand ASF outbreaks were recorded in domestic pigs and wild boar between January and June, compared with 6.96 thousand during the same period of 2025. Poland reported the highest number of cases (1,403), followed by Lithuania (832), Italy (824), Germany (622), and Hungary (492), where the virus is circulating mainly among wild boar.

Among domestic pigs, the highest numbers of ASF outbreaks were reported in Serbia (132 cases), Romania (109), and Croatia (24). Experts note that despite the overall decline in reported cases, the continued high level of ASF circulation in several European countries remains a significant risk for the region’s pig industry.

Tags: ASF