It is domestic pigs and wild boar that are affected by African swine fever, ASF, which often leads to their death within a few days of being infected. The disease is currently not found in Sweden, and both the Swedish Agency for Agriculture and the County Administrative Board are working to reduce the risk of it reaching the country.
– On the one hand, the county administrative board has good procedures for how we handle this should it occur, and on the other hand it is a security work that is always carried out at the farm level, says Christopher Lagerqvist, director of rural areas at the Södermanland County Administrative Board.
Feed spreads the infection
The drought can lead to several animal owners needing to import hay, straw and feed from countries where the disease is present. Which risks an increased risk of the disease reaching Sweden and infecting domestic pigs, according to SVA.
In the video: Hear more about why Sörmland is considered a risk county, how big a risk it is that the disease will come here and what the public should think about.