The number of cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) has reached 750 (domestic pigs only) in Europe this year and farmers in Ireland are being urged to be vigilant.

The number of cases has already surpassed 2017 levels by 65% and the Department of Agriculture has warned residents not to bring pork products into the country from affected areas abroad.

Ongoing problem in Romania

Romania is battling an ongoing problem with the virus, with an outbreak on one farm which contained 43,800 pigs.

It was later found that pigmeat from the farm had been exported to the UK, Spain and Italy, where it was subsequently traced and destroyed.

Affected countries in Europe include, Romania, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Hungary.

The spread of infection is thought to have been helped by the roaming wild boar population in Europe.

Worryingly for the global pig trade, China has also reported its first case of ASF on 3 August. It’s estimated that up to half of the world’s pigs live in China.

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