6844 outbreaks of African swine fever registered in Hungary in March

African swine fever virus is actively spreading in wild boar populations living in Hungary. In March, the veterinary service of this country confirmed 6844 epizootic outbreaks.

Five cases of ASF were recorded directly in the Hungarian capital, Budapest. Within the borders of Pest County, located in the center of the country, the virus was detected in 212 wild boars. In another central region, Jas-Nagykun-Szolnok county, 121 infected animals were found. In the south-east of Hungary, the ASF pathogen was isolated from the remains of 46 wild boars in the Békés county, in the south-west - in one wild boar in the Somogy county. Another 52 wild boars died from ASF in East Hajdu-Bihar County.

A high incidence of ASF is observed in the northeastern county of Borsod-Abauj-Zemplén (3570 cases), as well as the counties of Heves (1210), Nograd (768) and Sabolcs-Satmar-Bereg (345) bordering it. In the north, in the county of Komar-Esztergom, 314 cases of ASF were registered.

Between February 6 and March 17, Hungary confirmed 341 outbreaks of ASF. The virus first spread in Nograd (237 outbreaks), then in Komarom-Esztergom County (67 outbreaks). The total number of sick animals reached 485. 424 carcasses of dead animals were disposed of, 61 wild boars were killed with subsequent disposal of the remains.

In the period from February 12 to March 17, 12 epizootic foci were identified in the county of Sabolch-Satmar-Bereg. 12 wild boars died, one was shot dead. Between February 6 and March 17, 25 outbreaks were found in Hajdu-Bihar County: 26 out of 34 infected individuals died from ASF, eight were killed. All carcasses of dead animals were burned with the burial of the ash residue.

The State Veterinary Service of Hungary is studying the ways of spreading the infection and the current epizootic situation. To prevent the spread of the virus, monitoring of the migration of wild boars and control of the movement of domestic pigs within the country has been introduced. Disinfection of epizootic foci and zoning of the country's territory are being carried out.