Since June 2023, when ASF first emerged in Croatia, the country has reportedly lost more than 51,000 pigs to ASF. Photo: CanvaOutbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Croatia have led to the culling of over 12,000 pigs in recent weeks. The virus recently emerged on 2 farms with over 1,000 pigs. In addition, a variety of smaller farms have been infected this summer as well, sometimes with only a few animals on-site.
Data by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) showed that the 2 farms with more than 1,000 pigs on-site were both located in the northeastern county Osijek-Baranja, a county that borders to both Hungary as well as Serbia.
The largest farm was a facility with 9,829 pigs, located near the town Kneževi Vinogradi, and was confirmed infected on 18 September. Just 1 day prior to that, the virus had emerged on a farm near the city Osijek with 1,665 pigs on-farm.
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Over 51,000 pigs dead due to ASF
Germany’s leading agricultural title Top Agrar wrote that since June 2023, when ASF first emerged in the country, Croatia has lost more than 51,000 pigs (including the last farm with about 10,000 animals) to ASF. That represents about 5% of the country’s pig population.
The title quoted agricultural minister David Vlajčić, saying, “We are facing the largest outbreak of this disease to date in Croatia. The disease continues to spread despite all the measures taken.” He warned that this percentage could rise rapidly. About 67% of pigs in Croatia are kept on just 1.5% of farms, which have more than 1,000 animals per farm. Vlajčić said: “We must be aware that the current 5% could easily rise to 75% if people continue to behave irresponsibly and the disease spreads to even larger farms.”
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Large farms under police surveillance
The minister is clear about ASF being spread by human behaviour, Top Agrar wrote. Vlajčić has been taking drastic measures for that reason. Large farms with over 1,000 pigs will be placed under 24-hour police surveillance. The government will also deploy the Croatian army to assist with the disinfection of infected or suspected infected farms and facilities.
Vlajčić also announced stricter controls at state borders to prevent the transmission of diseases from neighbouring countries. In addition to culling pigs from infected farms, restricted zones have been established where the transport of animals and animal products is prohibited.
