What does fox parvovirus in Belgium and African swine fever in Poland have to do with the U.S. pork industry?
“More than you may realize,” says Dr. Lisa Becton, DVM and associate director of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). Becton sheds insight into the latest Swine Disease Global Surveillance Report and what producers can take away from the latest health updates around the globe.
Fox Parvovirus Confirmed in Pigs in Belgium
A rare parvovirus variant, genetically related to a virus previously identified in fox feces, was detected in pigs in Belgium over the summer. Although it’s not a reason to panic, experts say it is something they are continuing to monitor.
The first detection of “fox parvovirus” was reported by Animal Health Care Flanders (DGZ) in late July, following increasing reports of characteristic clinical signs from local veterinarians. The emerging parvovirus variant has been detected with increasing frequency on pig farms in the Netherlands since late 2024.
It is different from the common porcine parvovirus (PPV1), which is primarily associated with reproductive problems in pigs, Becton explains.
The most noticeable sign is unusually bulging eyes. Some pigs may also have crossed eyes (strabismus), red skin, hair loss or poor body condition. Signs have been reported primarily in piglets but can also occur in growing pigs.
“It’s not cause for alarm and it has not been detected in the U.S.,” Becton reinforces. “However, it highlights the reason why we perform global surveillance. If and when something unusual comes up, we report on it to raise industry awareness of a potential emerging health threat and can monitor it later if need be.”
To date, infections appear to be generally mild and self-limiting, SHIC reports. Affected pigs typically recover within a few weeks, and deaths have not been associated with the disease. The challenge is that researchers are still investigating how the virus entered farms, how it spreads between pigs, and its potential impact on swine production.
“Fox parvovirus is an emerging disease threat, and the epidemiology of transmission is poorly understood,” Becton says. “In general, producers and veterinarians should be aware of unusual clinical signs or symptoms that may signal an emerging disease and consider further investigation if they are observed.”
African Swine Fever Cases Climb Higher
African swine fever (ASF) continues to be a significant challenge in Europe, as well as in Asia and Africa, Becton says. In the past month, increased cases of ASF were reported in Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland. Romania continues to struggle with the virus in domestic pig production, Becton adds.
“Wild boar continues to be a problem, especially in Finland. Without a vaccine to help stem the tide of infection, it is really difficult to manage,” she says. “With wild boar, it is difficult to prevent these animals from going to other areas and coming into contact with domestic pigs. To reduce the risk of ASF infection, it’s not only prevention of wild boar exposure to other pigs but also prevention of transmission risks through illegal meat trades and illegal meat movements.”
Classical Swine Fever Shows Up in Latin America
The report also notes ongoing focus for the eradication of classical swine fever (CSF) in Latin America. The World Organisation for Animal Health recognizes San Andrés and Providencia as a CSF-free zone. In Ecuador, over 1.3 million pigs have been vaccinated against CSF since November 2025, advancing its national eradication efforts.
“CSF is a threat to swine health in Latin America. Countries such as Colombia and Ecuador are focusing on efforts to eradicate the disease, such as the use of vaccination in Ecuador,” she says. “It’s always important to be aware that it’s not just ASF threatening our country. There are other diseases out there, in addition to foot-and-mouth disease, that continue to create challenges across the globe. Awareness of disease threat is a must.”
