The first ASF outbreak this year in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. 7,500 pigs to be culled.

Photo: Wiesław Miller (archive)

This is the fifth ASF outbreak detected in Poland this year and the first in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Veterinary services detected the disease on a pig farm in the village of Samlino near Golczewo, in Kamień County. The ASF infection was confirmed by authorities on July 12th. Nearly 7,500 pigs must be culled.

“Depopulation and disposal for disposal are scheduled to end on July 17,” Prost said.

He emphasized that the authorities have not detected any other ASF cases in the region. There is a 3-kilometer containment zone around the farm. Veterinary services are monitoring the situation. Local breeders are not allowed to transport animals. Hunting is also prohibited.

Prost noted that the likely source of the ASF infection in the herd has already been determined. A wild boar carcass was found 300 meters from the farm fence.

– We are waiting for the test results – Prost noted.

African swine fever (ASF) is a rapidly spreading, contagious viral disease that affects domestic pigs, wild pigs, and wild boars. The incubation period is approximately 15 days (in the wild: 4-19 days, in acute cases: 3-4 days). The virus is exceptionally resistant to low temperatures and remains infectious in blood, feces, and tissues for up to six months.

ASF is not a disease dangerous to humans, but it causes high, even 100%, mortality in animals.

This year in Poland, ASF outbreaks were detected in Greater Poland and Pomerania (1-2 thousand pigs were infected) and in a small herd in the Lublin region.

In the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, in 2024, in the Choszczno County, a herd of over 10,000 pigs had to be culled.

"We've recently seen a decline in the number of ASF-infected wild boars. Animals subject to culling and those found dead in the forest are being examined," Prost concluded.

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