The European Commission has today (Tuesday, September 24), officially recognised Sardinia and Sweden as free from African Swine Fever (ASF).
This marks the end of an outbreak of ASF genotype I in Sardinia. ASF has traditionally been present in Africa until 1978 when the disease was introduced to Sardinia, according to the World Organisation of Animal Health.
The successful elimination of the disease has been achieved by a strict eradication and control programme, supported by the EU and led by a team of national and regional experts, the commission said.
Actions to eradicate the disease in Sardinia included enhanced surveillance in wild boars and domestic pigs coupled with biosecurity, as well as training of operators such as breeders and hunters.
ASF outbreak in Sweden
In Sweden, the ASF-free status has been granted a year after the disease was first detected in a dead wild boar in Västmanland county, according to the commission.
Swedish authorities swiftly implemented measures to control and eradicate the disease based on the recommendations of the EU Veterinary Emergency Team.
No new cases of ASF have been reported in Sweden since the short epidemic between August and September last year, according to the commission.
Announcing that the commission is today recognising Sardinia and Sweden as free of ASF, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides said:
“The eradication of African Swine Fever in Sardinia and Sweden is an Italian, Swedish and European success for national authorities and those working in the sector across Europe.
“But the fight against the disease remains a pressing and urgent challenge in many parts of the EU.
“Eradicating and controlling the disease, by applying scientific measures, shall remain a priority for all affected member states as the commission stands committed to supporting them.”
The commission continues to support other EU member states to remain vigilant and apply relevant European legislation to fight the disease.
African Swine Fever
ASF is a devastating infectious disease of pigs, usually deadly. No vaccine exists to combat this virus. It does not affect humans nor does it affect other animal species other than pigs and wild boars.
The disease can be transmitted either via direct animal contact or via dissemination of contaminated food, for example sausages or uncooked meat, according to the commission.
The disease is currently present in thirteen member states: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
Belgium, Czechia and Greece had successfully eradicated the disease but it recurred in Czechia and Greece because of the natural movement of wild boars. Belgium is still ASF-free.