The Food and Veterinary Service (FVS) has detected the third African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak of the year in a domestic pig holding in Rosme, Iecava Parish, Bauska Municipality, involving 55 pigs, the FVS reports.
The FVS is implementing disease control and containment measures at the affected site, as well as conducting an epidemiological investigation. To eliminate the outbreak and prevent further spread, all pigs at the holding will be culled.
A quarantine zone has been established around the ASF-affected site. In this area, the FVS will carry out intensified inspections of pig health and compliance with biosecurity requirements. Movement restrictions for pigs and pig-derived products have also been imposed within the quarantine zone.
The ASF virus remains widespread among the wild boar population throughout Latvia, and this year, the disease has been detected in 908 wild boars, posing a very high risk of infection. Therefore, the FVS reminds the public that the only way to protect domestic pigs from this deadly virus is to strictly follow biosecurity measures on farms.
The FVS emphasizes that domestic pigs and their feed must not come into contact with wild animals.
Pigs must not be let outdoors or fed fresh vegetation, such as grass cut from home gardens, food scraps, or other unprocessed plant-based products.
Additionally, bedding that may have been accessed by wild animals must not be used in pig holdings, and before entering pig housing, footwear must be changed and disinfected. If there are any suspicions of ASF infection, a veterinarian must be called immediately.
Until now, two ASF outbreaks in domestic pig holdings had been registered in Latvia this year. In early May 2025, the virus was detected in a backyard farm with 36 pigs in Džūkste Parish, Tukums Municipality, and in early July, in a holding with six pigs in Glūda Parish, Jelgava Municipality.
Meanwhile, among the wild boar population, ASF has been detected in 908 wild boars this year, across 137 parishes in 26 municipalities and in three city territories.
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