Africa Swine Fever resurfaces in Bhutan as Vietnam grapples with infected pork allegations

ASIA – African swine fever (ASF) is once again tightening its grip across multiple regions, with fresh outbreaks reported in Asia, new detections in Africa, and continued spread among wild boar in Europe, underscoring the persistent global challenge posed by the highly contagious pig disease.

After a seven-month hiatus, ASF has re-emerged in the Kingdom of Bhutan, while Vietnam is facing renewed scrutiny following the discovery of ASF-infected pork at a major food processing facility, amid what is shaping up to be the country’s worst year for the disease since 2019.

Bhutan’s latest ASF outbreak was confirmed in the first week of January, when a small backyard pig herd in the southwestern district of Chukha tested positive for the virus following the deaths of three animals. 

According to an official notification submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the affected premises lie within 10 kilometres of the border with India.

Authorities have attributed the re-emergence of the disease to swill feeding, a known high-risk practice for ASF transmission. The case marks Bhutan’s first confirmed detection since mid-2024 and highlights the ongoing vulnerability of small-scale and backyard production systems to biosecurity breaches.

Vietnam faces mounting ASF pressure

In Vietnam, ASF continues to spread extensively through the national pig herd. By the end of November 2025, 2,495 outbreaks had been recorded since the start of the year, resulting in the culling of approximately 1.23 million pigs, according to the latest ASF situation update from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 

Cases had been confirmed in 31 of the country’s 34 provinces and cities within a three-week period.

The figures point to Vietnam’s worst ASF year since 2019, when more than 6,000 outbreaks were reported. By comparison, just over 1,600 outbreaks were confirmed in 2024.

Compounding the situation, local media in Vietnam have reported that executives at Halong Canned Food JSC are under investigation following the discovery of more than 130 metric tons of ASF-infected pig meat in the company’s cold storage facilities. 

According to VN Express, the investigation began in September 2025 after authorities intercepted two vehicles transporting undocumented pig meat. 

Investigators allege that some of the meat was used to produce 1.7 metric tons of pâté and 7 metric tons of spring rolls. Large quantities of chicken products contaminated with Salmonella were also detected.

Wider ASF developments in Asia

Elsewhere in Asia, the Philippines has reported a further 446 ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs, affecting more than 2,800 animals through mortality or culling. 

Since ASF was first detected there in early 2020, around 80,300 pigs have been impacted, primarily in Mindanao and the Visayas. As of December 31, nine regions across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were still experiencing active outbreaks.

Hong Kong also confirmed the return of ASF one month ago at a licensed pig farm in the New Territories, although enhanced inspections and surveillance have so far revealed no additional cases.

In South Korea, investigations into a farm outbreak detected in late November have pointed to possible links with foreign workers, illegally imported livestock products, or worker movements between regions. 

Over the past two weeks, 10 more wild boar have tested positive, bringing total wild boar cases since 2019 to 4,326, while 55 domestic pig farms have been affected over the same period.

Europe, Africa and beyond

In Europe, ASF infections in domestic pigs remain limited, with just three small backyard herds affected in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova and Serbia over the past two weeks. However, the virus continues to spread widely among wild boar, with 11 countries reporting new cases.

Spain is continuing intensive investigations after ASF was detected in wild boar in Catalonia, where the number of infected animals has reached 60. 

Genetic analysis has confirmed the virus belongs to genotype II, although a novel mutation means its precise origin cannot be traced.

In Africa, ASF has been detected for the first time in Huambo, Angola, following deaths among pigs on a 300-head farm, with swill feeding and vectors suspected as sources. 

South Africa has also retrospectively reported seven additional outbreaks in domestic pigs, part of an outbreak series ongoing for at least five years.

Despite the growing geographic spread, ASF does not affect human health. Research efforts are ongoing, including work by a U.S. university to develop a low-cost, rapid diagnostic test that could improve early detection and control worldwide.

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