The African swine virus is present in seven districts and 52 settlements in Serbia, with two new outbreaks appearing in the last two days. One is in Bezdan, right on the border with Croatia, and the other in the southern Bačka towns of Žabalj and Gospođinci.
The data was presented on Saturday by Dragan Glamočić, the Serbian Minister of Agriculture. He told Radio Television of Serbia that 'the data from the ground is not good', but added that the spread of the virus was expected due to migrations in the wild boar population. He warned that the record-low water levels of the Danube further facilitate the spread of the disease, as wild boars can cross the river in places without swimming.
Around 28,000 pigs have died or been culled since the outbreak, and in some areas, farming has been prohibited for a month. A state of emergency has been declared in the districts of Ruma, Sremska Mitrovica, Šabac, and Obrenovac. It is expected that other municipalities will also introduce it for easier logistics and the implementation of disinfection. The highest number of outbreaks is recorded in the junction of the Srem and Mačva districts, as well as in Belgrade. One of the measures announced by the minister is the organised hunting of wild boars, accompanied by strict control, which includes the verification of every individual eliminated.
According to data from the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, African swine fever is present in more than 70 countries worldwide, including 16 European states. Among them are Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Romania.
