African swine fever destroys a complex housing 20 000 pigs in Latvia

This Sunday, the responsible authority in Latvia reported an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in a commercial pig complex in the Latvian region of Uogre. The holding contained 20 000 pigs. Following the onset of symptoms, samples were taken and laboratory confirmation of the ASF virus was obtained.

Eradication work has already started on the farm, with pigs being euthanised, traceability, regular cleaning and disinfection, and epidemiological investigation.

„It is not surprising that the case occurred in a region with a particularly high concentration of ASF-infected wild boars. We urge Lithuanian pig farmers not to relax, as the virus enters the farm from nature, where the farmers themselves bring it to the farm when they visit it. Only responsible behaviour, personal hygiene and biosecurity measures can prevent the introduction of the virus into the farm. If you have any questions, the representatives of the VMVT are ready to provide detailed advice," said Paul Busauskas, Deputy Director of the VMVT.

This is the eighth outbreak in Latvia and the second in a large pig complex. In Estonia, ASF has already been confirmed on 10 farms, in Poland on 15 farms and in Lithuania, ASF has already been detected on five pig farms.