According to official data, the infection was detected:
- on a farm in Põlva County, where 6,742 pigs were kept;
- in Viljandi County — 1,973 pigs;
- in Tartu County — 340 pigs.
This is the eighth case of ASF infection among commercial farms in the country since the beginning of 2025.
Atria's response
Atria Plc has confirmed that the infected farm in Põlva has already been depopulated and all premises are undergoing thorough cleaning and disinfection under the supervision of veterinary services.
The company's statement emphasises that ASF does not pose a risk to humans and that products from the affected farm did not enter the market.
The financial impact of the incident on the business will be limited: thanks to state support, the company will receive compensation of €400,000, and pork supplies to customers will be provided from other Atria production facilities. The farm is expected to resume operations within a few months after all veterinary and sanitary measures have been completed.
European context
Estonia is not the only country in Europe currently facing the active spread of ASF. According to the European Commission, 24 new outbreaks of the disease among pigs were registered on the continent in just one week, from 14 to 20 August.
The distribution of outbreaks is as follows:
- 17 cases in Romania,
- 3 in Estonia,
- 1 in Lithuania,
- 1 in Moldova,
- 1 in Poland,
- 1 in Serbia.
Since the beginning of 2025, 501 cases of ASF have been confirmed in 13 countries in Europe and neighbouring regions. The largest number of outbreaks were in Romania (270), Serbia (102) and Moldova (44). For comparison, there were 764 such cases in the whole of 2024.
Of particular concern is a new outbreak in Poland, where an infection has been confirmed on a large commercial farm in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, which kept about 4,500 pigs. This is already the 12th case of ASF on commercial farms in Poland in 2025.
Risks and safety measures
Although African swine fever is not dangerous to humans, it causes significant economic damage to pig farms. The disease spreads rapidly, there is no effective vaccine, and it leads to the mass destruction of livestock.
Due to the increasing risks, EU countries continue to strengthen biosecurity on farms and control the movement of pigs and pig products. Experts emphasise that strict compliance with veterinary and sanitary rules and strict control over logistics can reduce the spread of the virus.
Such measures are particularly relevant in view of the approaching autumn season, when population mobility and trade flows increase, which may increase the risks for the industry.
PigUA.info based on materials from feedstrategy.com