ASF outbreaks escalate in Europe, Asia prompting culling, supply disruptions

GLOBAL – New outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in Malaysia, Moldova, Romania, and South Korea have led to mass culling of pigs and disruptions in pork supply chains, fueling concerns about the disease’s relentless spread across Europe and Asia. 

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), ASF has been detected in three large commercial farms across Moldova and Romania over the past two weeks. 

In Moldova, outbreaks struck two farms housing 68,300 and 39,400 pigs, respectively, prompting widespread culling efforts. 

The country has also reported additional cases in smaller backyard herds, bringing the total number of domestic pig infections since December to 37.

Romania has recorded 11 new outbreaks, including one at a commercial farm with 1,900 pigs. The remaining cases were found in backyard herds spanning seven counties. 

Since 2021, the country has lost approximately 509,000 pigs due to ASF-related mortality and culling efforts.

Data from the European Commission’s Animal Disease Information System reveals that seven European countries have recorded 145 ASF outbreaks in 2025. Romania leads with 88 cases, followed by Moldova (27), Serbia (11), and Ukraine (11). 

Meanwhile, wild boar infections remain prevalent, with 16 European countries reporting 3,870 ASF cases, the highest numbers occurring in Poland (1,243) and Germany (799).

Additionally, veterinary authorities in the Dominican Republic are investigating a surge in pig mortalities in the northwestern province of Dajabon, raising fears of a potential ASF resurgence. 

The country had previously reported progress in controlling the disease, making the latest developments a cause for concern.

Asia reports significant ASF outbreaks

Malaysia’s national veterinary agency has confirmed five new ASF outbreaks in commercial farms in Selangor, affecting 8,100 pigs. 

The outbreaks have triggered pork shortages, with butchers urging authorities to approve more pig farms to stabilise supply and prices. 

Additionally, an outbreak in Sabah, Borneo, has led Sarawak to ban pig imports from the region.

In South Korea, a farm in Gyeonggi province housing 6,000 pigs reported the country’s 52nd ASF outbreak in domestic herds. Since 2019, South Korea has seen nearly 197,000 farm pigs affected by the disease.

India has confirmed an ASF outbreak in Nagaland’s Longleng district, prompting movement restrictions within the affected zone. 

Meanwhile, Bhutan retrospectively reported three outbreaks in backyard and village herds in Gelephu, Sarpang district, linked to swill feeding practices.

Additionally, ASF cases in the Philippines have declined, with affected regions dropping from 10 to 7. However, authorities are urging intensified control measures in Vietnam as ASF continues to spread from the North Central Coast to the Mekong Delta.

Chinese authorities have declared the ASF outbreaks in Hong Kong resolved, closing cases linked to a wild boar and three farm outbreaks that affected 6,000 pigs.

As ASF continues challenging global pig farming, strengthening biosecurity measures and international collaboration remain critical to mitigating its impact.

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