Croatia’s government on Friday partially lifted protection and surveillance zones imposed to contain African swine fever (ASF), following an improvement in the epidemiological situation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, David Vlajcic, said no new ASF outbreaks had been detected among domestic pigs since Aug. 4.
Speaking at a news conference, Vlajcic said the development showed that the control measures were effective.
He, however, said the virus remained present among wild boars, but the improved situation had allowed authorities to gradually ease restrictions on pig farmers.
The minister said about 5,000 pigs had been culled so far this year, about one-third of last year’s figure, from a national herd of approximately 900,000 pigs.
He said that following confirmation of a new outbreak on June 9, the Agriculture Ministry had strengthened veterinary surveillance, biosecurity inspections, and wild boar population control measures.
According to the ministry, 130 ASF outbreaks had been confirmed at pig farms across Croatia as of Aug. 26.
