Europe battles ASF surge as disease edges into new zones – WOAH

African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to challenge Europe’s pig farming industry, with new data from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) showing a rise in outbreaks during February 2025.

Three countries—Estonia, Croatia, and Ukraine—reported fresh incursions of the disease, while thirteen others updated ongoing outbreaks.

A total of 51 new outbreaks were confirmed in domestic pigs and 735 in wild boar, all within Europe. Losses among domestic pigs exceeded 3,900 animals during the month. Notably, ASF reappeared in Ukraine in two regions—Kherson and Ternopil’—with one outbreak more than 100 kilometres from previously infected zones, highlighting the virus’s capacity for sudden geographic leaps. WOAH described this as a stark reminder of the need for stringent biosecurity measures.

Most of February’s outbreaks occurred in high-density pig farming areas, exacerbating concerns for commercial producers. Since January 2022, Europe has recorded over 540,000 ASF cases in pigs and nearly 31,000 in wild boar, resulting in more than 1.3 million animal losses. Ukraine’s recent developments represent a worrying trend of the disease pushing into new territories.

While no new ASF outbreaks were reported in Africa, the Americas, Asia, or Oceania during the same period, the global picture remains severe. Since early 2022, ASF has been reported in 64 countries and territories across five world regions, with nearly two million pigs lost to the disease and almost one million cases reported.

Despite the ongoing threat, no country has officially adopted vaccination in response to outbreaks. Some countries are exploring field trials of modified live vaccines, but WOAH warns that any vaccine used must meet rigorous safety and efficacy standards. Moreover, any vaccination strategy must be supported by clear objectives, resources, and an exit strategy.

Key takeaways on the global ASF situation:

• ASF has affected pigs and wild boar in 64 countries since January 2022.
• Europe leads in total reported losses, followed by Asia and Africa.
• No country has reported using vaccination as a control method around outbreaks.
• The disease continues to spread beyond established zones, especially in Europe.

WOAH urges all member countries to maintain high biosecurity standards, ensure timely reporting, and raise awareness among stakeholders. While vaccine development progresses, WOAH stresses the use of only high-quality, approved vaccines within well-planned programmes. Countries are encouraged to share data on outbreaks, vaccine trials, and any use of preventive vaccination to promote transparency and support the global effort to control ASF.

Tags: vaccination, African Swine Fever, World Organisation for Animal Health, Biosecurity, WOAH, Europe, Croatia, Disease, ASF, Pigs, Estonia, outbreaks, wild boar, pig farming, Ukraine