Data collection from the outbreak of African swine fever in wild boar in Fagerst

On Sept 6th 2023, African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in wild boar, for the first time in Sweden. Measures were implemented according to the EU Animal health law and the Swedish contingency plan. ASF is a devastating disease affecting pigs and wild boar with severe disease, and in most cases, death.

It causes major economic losses, threatens food security and limits pig production in affected regions.

In the absence of vaccines, disease control measures rely on restrictions combined with depopulation of affected premises or populations.The aim of this project is to secure material and data from the affected area.

As many features of epidemiology and disease ecology, and people’s recollection, are “perishable”, this needs to be done as soon as possible.

The project is relevant for a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease but also for future management of disease outbreaks.

The collected information will be directly applicable and useful for modelling of geographic disease risks, disease ecology and outbreak implications.

The project will: 1) Secure samples from the environment where infected wild boar were found; 2) Monitor wild boar spatial behaviour by marking wild boar around the infected area and 3) Increase the understanding of the interactions in the interface between the disease and the local community, their attitudes experiences and perceptions towards the outbreak per se, as well as towards the control measures implemented by the authorities.