African swine fever has been confirmed in a domestic pig herd in Hungary for the first time, prompting an immediate cull of approximately 3,000 animals and the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around the affected farm.
Hungary’s National Food Chain Safety Office confirmed the case on 3 June at a large pig farm in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County in northeastern Hungary, bordering Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania. National Chief Veterinary Officer Imre Nemes immediately ordered the closure of the farm and the implementation of all epidemic control measures. An epidemiological investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection and assess potential spread.
African swine fever poses no risk to humans but is incurable, with no available vaccine, making outbreaks potentially devastating for the pork industry. Authorities have imposed movement restrictions in the area and are urging pig farmers particularly those in affected regions to strictly adhere to biosecurity protocols such as maintaining closed farm operations, restricting access by unauthorised persons and vehicles and preventing any contact between domestic pigs and wild boar.
Sudden fever, unexplained deaths or haemorrhagic symptoms in pig herds should be reported immediately to a veterinarian. Hungary’s confirmation of domestic pig infection marks a significant escalation in the disease’s spread through Central Europe.
