African swine fever (ASF) continues to pose a significant threat to global pork production, with new outbreaks confirmed in South Korea and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, ASF remains an ongoing challenge in parts of Europe and Southeast Asia, where containment efforts are ramping up.
ASF Confirmed on Pig Farms in Hong Kong
Authorities in Hong Kong have confirmed ASF outbreaks on two licensed pig farms in Yuen Long, New Territories, marking the latest in a series of cases. Combined, the farms housed over 2,200 pigs, and culling efforts have now exceeded 6,000 swine across three affected locations.
The Hong Kong veterinary authority has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of the cases, as the region works to contain the virus. These outbreaks are another reminder of ASF’s ability to disrupt local production and pose economic risks to pig farmers.
South Korea Reports Second ASF Outbreak of 2025
On January 28, South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture confirmed a second ASF outbreak of the year, this time at a farm in Yangju County, Gyeonggi Province. The outbreak impacted approximately 4,450 pigs and followed another confirmed case in the same province just days earlier.
Since ASF was first detected in South Korea in 2019, the nation has now recorded 51 outbreaks in domestic pig herds, leading to the culling of approximately 190,700 animals. Additionally, ASF continues to spread among wild boar populations, with more than 4,200 cases confirmed to date.
Rising ASF Cases Across Asia
ASF remains a persistent issue across several Asian countries:
- Indonesia has reported ASF-positive samples in 37 cases so far this year, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara. In 2024 alone, the country recorded 372 outbreaks across 13 provinces, including major pig-producing regions like Bali and North Sumatra.
- Vietnam continues to battle ASF, with outbreaks confirmed in multiple provinces, impacting both backyard farms and commercial operations.
- The Philippines is expanding its ASF vaccination program, with 32,000 doses currently being distributed across five provinces, building on last year’s initial vaccine rollout.
ASF Challenges in Europe
ASF outbreaks remain a concern across Europe, affecting both domestic pigs and wild boar.
- Romania has reported 13 new outbreaks in pig herds, impacting both commercial farms and backyard operations.
- Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova, and Italy have also confirmed new ASF cases in domestic pig herds.
- Wild boar cases are rising, with 11 European countries reporting 438 ASF-positive wild boars in just one week. Poland, Bulgaria, Germany, and Hungary lead in total confirmed cases.
Global ASF Outlook and Biosecurity Measures
With ASF continuing to disrupt swine production worldwide, producers are urged to reinforce biosecurity measures, particularly in regions where the virus remains active. Enhanced surveillance, controlled pig movements, and vaccination strategies are critical to limiting the spread.
As global pork markets navigate the ongoing ASF threat, industry stakeholders are closely watching new containment strategies, regionalization agreements, and vaccination efforts to mitigate the impact of this devastating disease.
