African Swine Fever
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. In its acute form the disease generally results in high mortality. ASF is a different disease to swine flu. The virus does not affect people and there is no impact on human health.
If notifiable disease is suspected, contact the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. Failure to do so is an offence
Current Situation (Dec 2025)
The table below summarises the confirmed number of cases of African Swine Fever in domestic pigs in Europe since the beginning of January 2025
| Country | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Bosnia and Herzegovinia | 52 |
| Croatia | 53 |
| Estonia | 11 |
| Greece | 4 |
| Italy | 1 |
| Latvia | 12 |
| Lithuania | 9 |
| Moldova | 52 |
| North Macedonia | 1 |
| Poland | 18 |
| Romania | 477 |
| Serbia | 239 |
| Slovakia | 1 |
| Ukraine | 19 |
Where is this disease found?
Traditionally this serious disease has occurred mainly in Africa. However in recent times the disease has also been reported in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Asia.
The risk of an ASF incursion continues to exist as the virus is still spreading across Europe. This causes concern amongst many countries and DAERA is highlighting the need for vigilance to keep the disease out of Northern Ireland.
The disease is also present in Asia and Africa, and in all affected areas it has been reported in wild boar as well as domestic pigs on farms, smallholdings and in pet pigs. More information on the risk of ASF .
Clinical signs
The clinical signs of ASF may occur in chronic, sub-acute or acute form. The incubation period for ASF is variable but is usually between five and fifteen days.
In the acute form pigs develop a high temperature (40.5 degrees C or 105 degrees F), then become dull and go off their food. Other symptoms can vary but will include some or all of the following:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea (sometimes bloody)
- reddening or darkening of the skin, particularly ears and snout
- gummed up eyes
- laboured breathing and coughing
- abortion, still births and weak litters
- weakness and unwillingness to stand
The clinical signs of ASF are indistinguishable to those for Classical Swine Fever and also similar to other pig diseases such as Porcine Dermatitis and Neopathy Syndrome. African Swine Fever images/clinical sign (DEFRA)
What is the public health risk associated with this disease?
African Swine Fever is not a human health threat and is not the same disease as Swine Influenza .
How is the disease transmitted?
African Swine Fever can be spread through:
- direct contact with infected pigs, faeces or body fluids
- indirect contact via fomites such as equipment, vehicles or people who work with pigs between pig farms with ineffective biosecurity
- pigs eating infected pig meat or meat products
- biological vectors - ticks of the species Ornithodoros. However, ASF-competent ticks are not present in the UK
Prevention
Good biosecurity is essential to the prevention of introduction of ASF into Northern Ireland.
Biosecurity measures that farmers can take
- maintain strict biosecurity
- only allow essential visitors to enter your farm, and insist that they wear clean or disposable clothing and footwear, and wash their hands (or shower in if possible)
- only allow vehicles and equipment on to the farm if they have been cleaned and disinfected beforehand
- do not allow people who may have been in contact with other pigs on to your farm
- do not allow staff and visitors to bring pork products on to the farm
- do not allow catering waste / scraps to be fed to pigs - dispose of it safely
- only source pigs and semen of known health status
If you keep pigs, you have an important role in preventing further disease outbreaks, it is essential that pig holders maintain effective biosecurity all year round.
The above biosecurity measures are covered in our one page leaflet – print this and keep it handy, or put a copy on your noticeboard:’
African Swine Fever is getting closer… keep it out!
The Department has a Pig Text Alert Service for all pig keepers to receive immediate notifications of disease outbreaks or other important disease information.
Do not feed pigs food waste
The feeding of any food waste of animal origin or food waste which has been in contact with products of animal origin, whether raw or cooked, is illegal in the UK. This is because there is a risk of spreading disease.
Food waste includes
- kitchen waste or scraps, such as leftovers from meals
- raw, partially or fully cooked meat
- meat that’s been cured, dried, smoked or frozen
- fish, including shellfish
- dog and cat food
You should dispose of food waste and any packaging in secure bins and you should not take meat or meat products into areas where pigs are kept.
Personal Imports
Everyone has a role to play in keeping ASF out of NI and preventing the virus spreading, by not bringing illegal food products into NI. Please find Information on Personal Food Imports or if you are thinking of bringing meat or food into NI.
It is illegal to bring personal meat or dairy products into NI from non-EU countries. Products will be seized and destroyed on arrival. You may be fined.
Anyone suspecting African Swine Fever must immediately inform their DAERA Direct Regional Office.
Controlling ASF if suspected or confirmed in NI
If African Swine Fever is suspected or confirmed it will be controlled in line with the African Swine Fever Control Strategy for NI.
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/african-swine-fever-control-strategy
The most up to date Veterinary Risk Assessment for ASF can be found at the link below.
African Swine Fever - Veterinary Risk Assessment