African Swine Fever outbreak drives funding and safety alerts in Italy's Emilia‑Romagna

Health authorities in the Emilia‑Romagna region reported two additional African swine fever‑positive wild boar carcasses in the Ventasso municipality, bringing the total confirmed cases in Reggio Emilia province to 14. The Ausl warned hikers, mushroom pickers, cyclists, hunters and residents to avoid touching carcasses and to report any findings immediately, emphasizing that the disease does not affect humans but poses a serious threat to livestock and wildlife.

The regional legislature approved a €1.6 million aid package to support containment measures. Half of the funding (€800,000) is earmarked for the provinces of Parma and Piacenza, with the remaining €800,000 allocated to Reggio Emilia, Modena and Bologna. The money will finance traps, captures, culling operations and other actions required by national and EU control plans. Commissioners and health officials highlighted the collaborative effort among local health agencies, hunting territories and the extraordinary commissioner overseeing the outbreak, expressing hope that the support will allow a reduction of movement restrictions in the affected areas.