Albania has confirmed its first occurrence of African swine fever in the country. The virus was detected Feb. 10 by the Food Safety and Veterinary Institute when two carcasses of infected wild boar were found in Kukës county. According to the March Swine Disease Global Surveillance Report, this area is approximately 15 kilometers from the Kosovo border and 30 km from the North Macedonia border.

The World Organization for Animal Health reported the outbreak on March 6, noting the source or origin of infection is unknown or inconclusive at this time. Disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste, disinfection and zoning have been implemented.

North Macedonia broke with ASF in the domestic pig population on Jan. 6, 2022, and in the wild boar population on March 15, 2022. On July 17, 2023, the veterinary authorities of Kosovo reported to the European Commission the confirmation of ASF in that country.

Albania is the 28th European country to confirm the presence of ASF since the virus was introduced to the continent in 2007.

The March Swine Disease Global Surveillance Report notes authorities in Italy, Poland, Estonia and Norway have issued statements outlining measures to control the wild boar population as a strategy to combat ASF.