What it is
ASF affects domestic pigs and wild boar. People cannot catch it through contact with animals or by eating pork. The virus can, however, remain on footwear, clothing, wheels, equipment and in some pork products, so people can unintentionally carry it to pigs. Outbreak control relies on early detection, laboratory diagnosis, removal of infected animals, cleaning and disinfection, zoning, movement restrictions and biosecurity measures.
Why it became important
In July 2026, the Veterinary Directorate warned of higher risk in Srem, Mačva, part of the Kolubara District and Belgrade. After ASF was confirmed at the Mistral farm in Hrtkovci near Ruma, Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamočić said 11,000 pigs would be euthanised and put direct damage above EUR 1.5m. On 18 July he also said ASF was active in 52 settlements across seven districts and that nearly 28,000 pigs had died or been euthanised. These are the minister's figures, not an independently established national total.
Current status and procedure
As of 18 July, the Veterinary Directorate maintains a separate 2026 list of decisions declaring infected and threatened areas and publishes a model set of measures for them. These can include an animal census and sampling, cleaning and disinfection, and limits on moving pigs, products and vehicles. A particular holding is governed by the relevant decision and the veterinary service's instructions, not by the general list of higher-risk regions. An owner who suspects disease should contact the responsible veterinary service immediately and should not move animals before receiving instructions.
Why it matters
For pig holdings, the main protection is to prevent contact between domestic pigs and wild boar, clean and disinfect footwear, clothing, vehicles and equipment, and avoid feeding pigs untreated food waste. Consumers do not need to fear ASF as a human disease; the Veterinary Directorate advises buying meat from registered outlets under veterinary and inspection control.
Next open question
The next material change will be a new or withdrawn Veterinary Directorate decision: which settlements and holdings enter an infected or threatened area, for how long, and which movement restrictions are imposed or lifted. Before transporting animals or products from a risk area, check the current decisions list and the local veterinary service's instructions.