Italy and Sweden are recognized as African swine fever-free countries

The European Commission has officially recognised Sardinia and Sweden as African swine fever (ASF)-free countries, through a revision of the EU regionalisation plan adopted this week. ASF is a fatal viral disease of domestic pigs and wild boar. In Sardinia, this marks the end of an outbreak of genotype I ASF, which began in 1978. Elimination of the disease has been achieved thanks to a strict eradication and control programme, supported by the EU and led by a team of national and regional experts. Measures taken include, in particular, enhanced surveillance of wild boar and domestic pigs, together with biosecurity measures, as well as training of operators such as farmers and hunters. In Sweden, the “ASF-free” certification has been obtained one year after the disease was first detected in a dead wild boar in Västmanland County. This ...