New developments of the epidemic in the reporting period	In the reporting period from 1 September 2020 until 31 August 2021, in Lithuania 185 ASFV‐positive wild boar were found in 177 locations (164 wild boar hunted and 21 found dead). The low number of found dead wild boar suggests a decrease in the active circulation of the ASF virus and/or a decrease in the numbers of wild boar, making it difficult to find carcasses. Most ASF cases in wild boar were detected from the hunted animals being seropositive. Due to COVID‐19 restrictions in 2020, driven hunts were minimised and, in some regions, not preformed and only individual hunts were allowed. This led to reduced disturbance of wild boar. At the beginning of 2021, ASF virus was detected only in two regions of Lithuania and most hunters decided to actively allow the wild boar population to increase again on their hunting grounds, as according to their personal understanding ASF has disappeared. This may have led to increased spread of ASF. By the end of this reporting period, on 31 August 2021, wild boar tested PCR positive in 12 regions of Lithuania. This suggests that in addition to the increased wild boar density, human‐driven activities may have influenced the fast ASFV dispersal in the 12 regions of Lithuania.
Specific prevention and control measures implemented during the reporting period	In the reporting period from 1 September 2020 until 31 August 2021, African swine fever outbreaks in domestic pigs were not reported in Lithuania. The last ASF outbreak in domestic pigs was detected on 10 August 2020 under the framework of passive surveillance in a non‐commercial holding with three pigs. Despite the pandemic situation caused by COVID‐19 and quarantine conditions with movement restrictions inside the country, the domestic pig sector was a priority, ensuring free trade inside and outside the country with the commodities of pigs under strict veterinary control. All movements were allowed from holdings that were fully complying with the national biosecurity requirements, namely those that were inspected twice per year by the official veterinarian; where passive surveillance is carried out (each week 2 to 10 dead pigs are sent for virological testing to the National Reference Laboratory). In exceptional cases, if small commercial pig farms were not inspected twice per year, by the official veterinarian, active surveillance was carried out before the pigs were moved out from the farm. In such cases, the active surveillance was not financed by the government, but the owner paid for the test and in case of a negative result the certificate or commercial document was issued via the Traces system. Due to the COVID‐19 restrictions, movement between the different types of farm was decreased, personal protection equipment was used more often. Furthermore, veterinary control and recurrent awareness campaign were in place, pig keepers had more knowledge about ASF and all these factors prevented the ASF introduction into domestic pig holdings.
Epidemiological investigations in infected farms during the reporting period	Not applicable: no outbreaks during the reporting period