African Swine Fever Spreads Through Serbia, Intensifying Control Measures

The African swine fever virus is spreading rapidly through Serbia, prompting intensified control measures and an "not good" assessment from the Minister of Agriculture, Dragan Glamočić. The most critical hotspots are currently in the Srem and Mačva districts, along with parts of Belgrade. In response, a state of emergency has been declared in four municipalities: Sremska Mitrovica, Šabac, Ruma, and Obrenovac. These measures include enhanced veterinary inspection and control over the movement of animals, feed, and animal products. Disinfection protocols are being strictly enforced on farms and access roads. Any suspected cases or deaths must be reported to the relevant veterinary services. The virus has already led to the culling of 28,000 pigs across 52 settlements in Serbia. The disease is present in over 70 countries globally, including neighboring nations, underscoring the need for continuous biosecurity measures. Minister Glamočić urged local governments to assist households with disinfectants, while reminding all farms of their obligation to implement regular disinfection and protective measures.