As a result of these cases, 386,089 sick animals were recorded, and losses in pig farms reached 605,225 heads. The geography of the spread of the infection in 2024–2025 indicates its rapid penetration beyond the previously affected regions.
During 2024, three countries reported ASF cases for the first time: Montenegro in January, Albania in February, and Sri Lanka in October. Experts called the spread of the disease to Sri Lanka the biggest ‘leap of the year’ because it travelled more than 1,800 km from the nearest known outbreaks. A significant expansion of ASF was also recorded in Bhutan, Côte d'Ivoire, Germany and Poland. The Philippines led in the number of cases among domestic pigs, with 1,269 outbreaks recorded.
Of particular concern is the impact of the disease on biodiversity: in the Philippines, ASF was detected in Visayan warty pigs, a species classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Against the backdrop of the widespread spread of the infection, the creation of effective vaccines has become a key area of focus. Some achievements in the field of modified live vaccines already give hope for controlling ASF. At the same time, WOAH warned about the danger of using poor-quality drugs, which not only fail to protect animals but can also accelerate the spread of infection. The organisation continues to develop international standards for ASF vaccines to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
To coordinate global efforts, WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have launched a joint initiative under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases. Its goal is to bring together governments, businesses and experts to help countries cope with ASF, which today poses a threat not only to the pig industry but also to global food security.
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