Eli Česti Agencijat: Livestock culling as the sole solution for animals infected with African Swine Fever (ASF)
In Estonia, the ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak has brought about a significant impact on domestic pig farming and food production. The disease, which first appeared in 2023, has led to widespread culling of thousands of pigs, causing financial losses, psychological strain, and biosecurity challenges for farmers.
The Agriculture and Food Board has stated that it does not have the authority to make a different decision regarding culling. The Board, along with other stakeholders, is planning additional measures to help control the wild boar population and keep them away from farms, as they pose a constant risk of ASF transmission.
Large-scale culling has been necessary to contain the disease, with nearly 13,000 pigs in multiple counties (Viljandi, Tartu, Rapla) being culled or currently being culled. This has affected farms with thousands of animals each. Despite rigorous biosecurity protocols, even farms with vehicle disinfection, restricted access, and no forest access for farm staff cannot fully prevent infection, contributing to widespread outbreaks and high anxiety among farmers.
The ASF outbreaks have led to movement restrictions on animals and pork products, complicating farm operations and pork exports due to EU disease control rules. These disruptions have generated strong emotional and psychological distress among pig farmers and rural communities, with some resorting to protests and misinformation campaigns that strain trust between authorities and stakeholders.
Economic losses are another major concern, with farmers facing direct financial losses due to pig culling and delays or disputes over compensation payments. The economic damage related to ASF outbreaks in Estonia from 2015-2017, 2021, 2023, and 2025 has exceeded 14.5 million euros, involving a total of 35 cases and approximately 72,000 pigs.
It's important to note that there is no effective and safe vaccine for ASF, and it is not curable. The virus can remain infectious in feces, soil, and on various surfaces for up to six months, and under favorable conditions, for 18 months. The entire international biosecurity and control policy for ASF is based on the assumption that the virus will persist in the herd.
The authorities have asked for understanding from everyone and urged residents not to gather near outbreak sites. The competence and work organization of LABRIS employees, the Centre for Laboratory Research and Risk Assessment, have been highly rated at the European Union level. The analysis results from LABRIS are reliable, and the discovery of a single infected pig means all pigs in the same farm are considered potential virus carriers.
The virus is also affecting wild boars in Estonia, making it crucial to address the wild boar reservoir problem to prevent further transmission to domestic pig farms. The measures for controlling the disease are uniform and consistent throughout the European Union, and all pig farmers must be consistent and uncompromising in the daily implementation of established biosecurity measures.
Calls for improved communication have emerged due to public confusion and social media conspiracy theories. Clearer, faster, and more transparent messaging is necessary to maintain trust during outbreaks and address the challenges posed by the ongoing ASF crisis in Estonia.
- The ongoing ASF crisis in Estonia has highlighted the need for increased collaboration in health-and-wellness, particularly for rural communities, as mental health issues related to financial losses, psychological strain, and misinformation campaigns amongst farmers have become apparent.
- As the ASF virus remains persistent in the environment for extended periods, it is crucial to integrate environmental science into the diseasecontrol strategies, analyzing its presence and longevity in soil, feces, and various surfaces to develop improved biosecurity measures.
- Considering the detrimental impact ASF has on the pig farming industry, culture, and the economy, exploring potential alternative treatments or medical-conditions management for affected animals using emerging sciences such as CBD may hold promise for future veterinary medicine and disease management.
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