Estonia's African swine fever epidemic explained
Since June, Estonian authorities have ordered 55,000 pigs to be culled as African swine fever outbreaks have resurfaced among domestic herds. ERR News explains why ASF is back and what it means for Estonia's farmers.
What is African swine fever (ASF)?
African swine fever, or ASF, is a highly contagious viral disease of animals in the pig family (Suidae) — domestic pigs and wild boar — that usually kills the animals it infects.
The virus spreads both directly between animals and indirectly — for example, via contaminated pork products, clothing, vehicles or equipment. It can survive for months in certain environments and in processed pork, which is why detection typically prompts strict controls such as quarantine and mandatory culling, or selective slaughter, of animals on an affected farm.
ASF does not infect people, and there have been no confirmed natural infections in Estonia of non-suids, including dogs, cats, cattle and sheep. Strict biosecurity rules help guard against any potential transmission risks.
When did ASF reach Estonia, and why is it spreading here?
African swine fever was first recorded in Estonia in fall 2014, when it was detected in a wild boar piglet found dead in Valga County, 6 kilometers from the Latvian border. The presence of the virus was confirmed by both the National Center for Laboratory Research and Risk Assessment (LABRIS) in Estonia and an EU reference lab.
By 2017, the disease had spread nationwide, with the exception of the western island of Hiiumaa, which remains ASF-free.
It crossed into domestic pig populations starting in 2015, with 27 farm outbreaks recorded between then and 2017. No domestic pig outbreaks occurred from 2018 through 2020, before the virus began making sporadic reappearances — one in 2021 and two in 2023.
This year, at least seven ASF outbreaks have been confirmed in Estonia.
The spread in recent years is fueled by a persistent wild boar reservoir that continues to carry the virus, along with occasional "jumps" linked to human activity, such as the movement of contaminated equipment, vehicles or materials.
What are the consequences of ASF infection?
ASF outbreaks carry severe consequences for Estonia's pork sector and rural communities. Immediate impacts include large-scale culling of infected or exposed pigs, sometimes numbering in the thousands, and the resulting direct financial losses for farmers.
Outbreaks trigger movement restrictions and control zones, limiting animal transport and trade under EU rules, disrupting farm operations and complicating exports. While compensation schemes exist, they can involve delays or disputes.
Even farms meeting biosecurity requirements have been affected, creating both financial and psychological strain. This summer, one farm called for independent follow-up testing before a scheduled cull, pointing to dozens of negative post-confirmation samples.
Estonian officials warn that delaying culls could breach EU regulations, risking sanctions and potentially shutting down all pork exports if ASF is not contained.
What action is the Estonian state taking?
The Agricultural and Food Board (PTA), under the remit of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, leads detection, surveillance and control in Estonia, working with national labs, ministries and contracted teams to carry out testing, enforce quarantine and movement restrictions, and safely dispose of carcasses through rendering or incineration by the provider AS Vireen.
The PTA also issues guidance on detecting and reporting suspect cases and on-farm biosecurity measures such as disinfection, fencing and visitor controls.
Key measures this year have included targeted testing of suspect animals, quarantines and movement bans around affected sites, mandatory culls under EU and national rules, and, in at least one disputed case, sending samples to a foreign reference lab for confirmation.
The public is also advised to avoid outbreak areas.
Neighboring countries and other EU states follow broadly similar ASF control strategies, including testing, biosecurity, movement controls and culling, with differences largely shaped by regional factors such as the local presence and prevalence of wild boar.
Why were there protests over a planned culling in Viljandi County this summer?
Authorities maintain that rapid culling of infected herds is essential to protect other farms and contain the virus. But communication gaps and skepticism toward national test results have fueled tension and, in some cases, protests.
At Nurme Farm in Viljandi County, 4,500 pigs were scheduled for culling after ASF was confirmed by both national and Spanish reference lab tests in late July and August.
Demonstrations on August 8 and 9, and again the following week, drew a mix of local residents, animal welfare advocates, political party members and people mobilized via social media.
Protesters demanded greater transparency in testing and delays in culling until foreign lab results were confirmed.
The Estonian Union for the Protection of Animals (ELL) told ERR on August 8 that some protesters did not trust Estonian lab results and wanted to wait for the Spanish lab's findings before any cull.
The PTA postponed the cull twice: first on August 9 to await the Spanish results, which came back positive early the next week, and again on the morning of August 14, this time citing a more urgent outbreak in Põlva County.
Why is the PTA restricting access to certain Estonian pig farms?
Since August 16, the PTA has imposed month-long entry bans on nearly 30 pig farms across the country. The entry bans aim to prevent gatherings that could spread the disease, as unauthorized individuals on or near farm property could carry the virus further, exposing more pig populations.
Local residents, farm workers and service personnel are not affected by the restrictions.
The PTA has issued several rounds of entry bans, which will remain in effect for one month from date of issue or until further notice. These include:
August 16
Ekseko farm (Mäeltküla, Viljandi Municipality, Viljandi County)August 19
Kuula sigala (Sulaoja, Kanepi Municipality, Põlva County)
Nurme farm (Kannuküla, Viljandi Municipality, Viljandi County)
Järvepera sigala (Järvepera, Jõgeva Municipality, Jõgeva County)
Seafarmi (Lutsu, Põlva Municipality, Põlva County)
Savikoti seafarm (Savikoti, Viljandi Municipality, Viljandi County)
Hinnu seafarm (Allika, Kuusalu Municipality, Harju County)
Kubja seafarm (Tilga, Elva Municipality, Tartu County)
Kõpsta seafarm (Piibe, Väike-Maarja Municipality, Lääne-Viru County)
Luuka sigala (Raikküla, Rapla Municipality, Rapla County)
Linnamäe Peekon (Oru, Lääne-Nigula Municipality, Lääne County)August 22
Saimre seakasvatus (Aidu, Viljandi Municipality, Viljandi County)
Nurkse seafarm (Assamalla, Tapa Municipality, Lääne-Viru County)
Viru Peekon (Kallukse, Kadrina Municipality, Lääne-Viru County)
Triigi seakasvatus (Triigi, Kose Municipality, Harju County)
Maag Agro Savimäe (Savilöövi, Antsla Municipality, Võru County)
Saimre seakasvatus (Mägise, Järva Municipality, Järva County)
Grossi (Annikvere, Haljala Municipality, Lääne-Viru County)
Vajangu peekon (Vajangu, Tapa Municipality, Lääne-Viru County)
Kriidisoo (Voore, Vinni Municipality, Lääne-Viru County)
Kaubi Farmid (Altnurga, Põltsamaa Municipality, Jõgeva County)
Ermo Sepa talu (Patika, Tapa Municipality, Lääne-Viru County)August 26
Saare Peekon OÜ (Pähkla, Saaremaa Municipality, Saare County)
Ääre Seakasvatus (Kaali, Saaremaa Municipality, Saare County)
Lõpe Agro (Lõpe, Lääneranna Municipality, Pärnu County)
Oss (Koikla, Saaremaa Municipality, Saare County)
Valjala Söödatehas (Kehtna-Nurme, Kehtna Municipality, Rapla County)August 27
Maag Agro AS (Kuudeküla, Viljandi Municipality, Viljandi County)
Eesti Tõusigade Aretusühistu (Vasula alevik, Tartu Municipality, Tartu County)
How many pigs are affected right now?
Since June, ten ASF outbreaks have been confirmed in domestic pig populations across Estonia, affecting nearly 55,000 animals as of August 27.
This includes cases at three farms in Tartu County, totaling around 8,000 pigs, one farm in Põlva County with 6,700 pigs, five in Viljandi County with 36,000 pigs, and one in Rapla County with 4,000 pigs.
Reported ASF cases in wild boar remain particularly widespread in the southern half of the country.
Visit the PTA's African swine fever page (link in Estonian) for more info and the latest numbers.
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Editor: Aili Vahtla
