Key result
African swine fever epidemics linked to 30 domestic pig outbreaks, driven by wild boar cycles.
Why the study?
The introduction of genotype II ASFV into Lombardy caused serious concern due to high pig density and economic importance, prompting the need to describe epidemiological features to help combat the disease.
Observational
Describes the epidemiological features of the 2023-2024 African swine fever genotype II epidemic in Lombardy, highlighting spillover events between wild boars and domestic pigs.
May warrant intensified wild boar surveillance to limit domestic spillover; leaves open optimal ASF containment strategies.
African swine fever (ASF) is a severe hemorrhagic disease of suids caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). In 2023, the introduction of genotype II ASFV into Lombardy was a cause for serious concern; the region is home to approximately 50% of the national pig population and is of economic importance to the processing industry of the entire country. Since then, two ASF epidemics have resulted in a total of 30 outbreaks in domestic pigs in the same areas of Lombardy, where the disease is endemic in wild boars. The results of the control activities conducted in the affected areas seem to indicate the establishment of self-sustaining infection cycles in the wild boar population with spillover and spillback events occurring between wild boars and domestic pigs. This manuscript describes some epidemiological features of the ASF epidemics in Lombardy with the aim of providing useful information to combat the disease.
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Bellini et al. (2025) conducted an observational in African swine fever (ASF). African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II was evaluated on Outbreaks in domestic pigs. Two African swine fever epidemics in 2023 and 2024 resulted in 30 outbreaks in domestic pigs in Lombardy, Italy, driven by self-sustaining infection cycles in wild boars.
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