Croatia culls 10,000 pigs due to a new outbreak of African swine fever

Croatian authorities have ordered the culling of approximately 10,000 pigs starting today, September 22, in the David Vlajcic region in eastern Croatia, due to a new outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), the largest recorded in the Balkan country to date, local media report. Agriculture Minister David Vlajcic confirmed that the culling is indispensable and that the largest outbreak of the disease has been recorded at the farm of the Belje Sokolovac company in Barania, while the virus has also been detected in Nemetin, near Osijek, also in eastern Croatia. "We are facing the largest outbreak of this disease in Croatia to date. The disease continues to spread despite all the measures taken - solely due to human factors, irresponsibility, and illegal activities," the minister declared. Since 2023, Croatia has lost 41,000 pigs to ASF, a figure that, along with this week's culls, will rise to ...