Swedish success against African swine fever studied

The danger appears to be over in the previously swine fever-infected area in Fagersta – and people can move freely in the forest. Now research will be conducted on what made the Swedish strategy successful.

» Updated:

» Published:

Swedish success against African swine fever studied
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Share this article

The danger appears to be over in the previously African swine fever-infected area in Fagersta – and people can move freely in the forest.

Now, research will be conducted on what made the Swedish strategy successful.

Almost all restrictions have been lifted in the area where the first cases of African swine fever were discovered in Sweden last autumn. The Swedish combat campaign seems to be one of the few successful ones against the infection in Europe.

Our assessment is that the risk of there still being infection present is negligible. However, to be completely cleared by the EU, it must have been a year since the last case, says state veterinarian Erika Chenais.

The National Veterinary Institute (SVA) has been allocated 8.4 million kronor by the Environmental Protection Agency to study the handling of future outbreaks of African swine fever in wild boar.

The task includes finding out what made the combat against swine fever successful in Fagersta. Erika Chenais, who leads the research project, believes that several factors can explain why the Swedish combat seems to have been so successful.

Where the infection broke out was precisely on the edge of the wild boar's distribution area. Moreover, we were quick to fence in the area, and the sparse forest made it easier to control the wild boar using bait towards the area where they would be put down.

A well-established collaboration with hunters was also crucial.

The hunters in Fagersta have been absolutely fantastic, says Erika Chenais.

Since the infection was confirmed in September last year, a total of 68 wild boar carcasses positive for ASF virus have been found in the infection zone, according to SVA. 59 domestic pigs and 92 wild boar have been put down in the infected zone. No infection spread has been detected since the end of September.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Risk of Multi-Million Kronor Costs After Miljödata IT Leak

Risk of Multi-Million Kronor Costs After Miljödata IT Leak

Pro-Palestinian Protest at Stockholm Jewish School Sparks Political Outrage

Pro-Palestinian Protest at Stockholm Jewish School Sparks Political Outrage

Gunnar Strömmer Recovers Forgotten Tablet on Plane

Gunnar Strömmer Recovers Forgotten Tablet on Plane

Strong Wind Warning for Southern Sweden on Tuesday

Strong Wind Warning for Southern Sweden on Tuesday

Miljödata IT Attack Leaks Data of Over 1.5 Million People

Miljödata IT Attack Leaks Data of Over 1.5 Million People

Cyberattack on Miljödata: Stolen Data Published on Darknet

Cyberattack on Miljödata: Stolen Data Published on Darknet

Government Launches Investigation into Background Check Regulations

Government Launches Investigation into Background Check Regulations

Train Traffic Resumes on Botniabanan with Reduced Service

Train Traffic Resumes on Botniabanan with Reduced Service

Man Detained for Murder in Skåne Skurup Municipality

Man Detained for Murder in Skåne Skurup Municipality

Rapper Sentenced to Prison for Ordering Murder of Rival

Rapper Sentenced to Prison for Ordering Murder of Rival

Teen Detained in Connection to Örebro Mosque Murder

Teen Detained in Connection to Örebro Mosque Murder

Government Considers Law Changes After Demonstration Incidents

Government Considers Law Changes After Demonstration Incidents

Two Men Detained in Kalix Murder Investigation

Two Men Detained in Kalix Murder Investigation

Russian Drones Deliberately Breach Polish Airspace, Says Swedish PM

Russian Drones Deliberately Breach Polish Airspace, Says Swedish PM

Sweden Boosts Defense with Borrowed Funds for Faster Buildup

Sweden Boosts Defense with Borrowed Funds for Faster Buildup

Region Skåne Reviews Avarn Security Agreement After Invoice Scandal

Region Skåne Reviews Avarn Security Agreement After Invoice Scandal

Man Sentenced to Six Years for Eleven Rapes in Jämtland County

Man Sentenced to Six Years for Eleven Rapes in Jämtland County

Gang Leader Arrested After Two-Mile Escape from Borås Detention Center

Gang Leader Arrested After Two-Mile Escape from Borås Detention Center

Västernorrland Uses Satellite Support to Assess Flood Impact

Västernorrland Uses Satellite Support to Assess Flood Impact

Mother of Six Finds Solace in City Mission's Support

Mother of Six Finds Solace in City Mission's Support