South Sudan confirmed its first case of African swine fever (ASF) on July 18, after samples were collected at a pig farm in Yambio. The World Organisation for Animal Health reported the case on its official Web site in the afternoon on Friday.
The detection places South Sudan within a wider East African outbreak. ASF kills nearly every pig it infects and has no vaccine or cure. The available information does not establish the source of the Yambio infection, whether it has spread beyond the farm, or how many pigs have been affected in South Sudan.
Uganda has recorded ASF in 66% of its districts. Cases have been more concentrated in central and border districts, as well as districts with pig populations of ≥30,000. Sporadic cases have also been reported in districts bordering the DRC, Sudan and Kenya, and around the lake shores and the Karamoja, Acholi and Lango sub-regions.
Cross-border links complicate efforts to contain animal disease. The Karamoja Cluster connects Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Dr. Wampande's research found that ticks may have limited importance in the spread of ASF, leaving other transmission routes as a central concern for disease control.
Kenya has also reported outbreaks beyond Kiambu County. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration confirmed outbreaks in Tharaka-Nithi, Busia, Embu, Kakamega, Homa Bay and Migori counties. More than 20 farms in Kiambu County have lost 1,470 pigs to ASF since mid-May.
In Tharaka-Nithi, authorities recorded 108 cases and 97 deaths between January 5 and 11, 2026. The reports show the disease affecting areas with large pig populations as well as locations close to national borders.
Regional livestock programmes are also operating against this backdrop. The Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate in Eastern Africa Programme, known as PLACE, is a 47-million-euro initiative funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the European Union.
South Sudan's confirmation has prompted attention beyond the region. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency listed South Sudan as a high-risk ASF country. The Central Emergency Operations Center for African Swine Fever cautioned against importing food that contain pork after South Sudan's first confirmed case occurring last month.
Taiwan has maintained its self-declared ASF-free status since April 6. It is the only country in Asia free of the three major swine diseases. Authorities said Taiwan has no records of living pigs or pork products imported from South Sudan, and there are no direct flights or mail service between the two places.
Under Taiwan's import enforcement rules, people who illegally bring in pork products face a fine of NT$200,000 (US$6,287) for a first offence. Each repeat offense carries a fine of NT$1 million. The measures reflect the difficulty of protecting pig populations once ASF reaches a country, given the absence of either a vaccine or a cure.
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