ZAGREB, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Croatia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said on Wednesday that two new outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) had been confirmed at pig farms.
According to the ministry, a total of 101 ASF outbreaks have been confirmed at pig farms in Croatia so far this year, while 187 cases have been detected in wild boars.
Croatian authorities have continued surveillance and containment measures as the disease spreads among domestic pigs and wild boars, particularly in the country's eastern regions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries David Vlajcic said on Tuesday that Croatia would step up the culling of wild boars to help contain the spread of ASF. He said the disease posed a serious threat to the country's pig industry and the broader economy.
The ministry said ASF spreads rapidly and is often fatal in pigs but poses no risk to humans. The virus cannot infect people or be transmitted through the consumption of pork, though it can cause significant economic losses to the livestock sector. ■