In the Western Balkans, FAO builds capacity in investigating outbreaks of African swine fever

African swine fever (ASF) is a very serious animal disease that may kill up to 100 percent of infected animals, both domestic pigs and wild boar of all breeds and ages and for which, currently, there is no commercially available vaccine or treatment. It poses significant economic, livelihood and biodiversity threats to the region's pig sector and wild populations. As part of its work to combat African swine fever in the region, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is building capacity to improve ASF management by teaching outbreak investigation and basic epidemiology to participants from Western Balkans in a four-day workshop in Sarajevo from 21 to 24 May.

“It took about five years for African swine fever to reach all countries and territories in the Western Balkans,” said Mark Hovari, Animal Health Preparedness Expert. “Improving capacity in outbreak investigation and data analysis will lead to better understanding of disease behaviour and, ultimately, improved disease control”.

The workshop was led by international experts and attended by national participants from the region who had an opportunity to share best practices on how to investigate an ASF outbreak, discuss risk factors for ASF, and learn how to use epidemiological tools and data analysis. 

The workshop curriculum features a mix of lectures, interactive sessions, and group work. Participants learn about disease surveillance, practice outbreak investigation through scenarios and role-play, and use case data to identify risk factors for disease spread.

Future activities under the project will focus on country specific activities tackling topics such as farm biosecurity, stamping out infected pig farms, development of educational videos, costing of the disease and its control, and training of hunters.