Deadly Plague Threatens Wildlife - Animals Need to Be Euthanized Immediately

Deadly Plague Threatens Wildlife - Animals Need to Be Euthanized Immediately

In recent developments, the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Germany has become a growing concern, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Hesse. As of mid-2025, the virus has been detected in wild boar populations, with 48 cases in NRW and over 1,500 infected wild boar carcasses discovered in Hesse this year[1][2][3]. A significant new development is the confirmation of ASF in a domestic pig herd in Brandenburg, involving around 200 animals[3].

To combat the spread of ASF, German authorities have initiated several key measures:

1. Protective Fencing: Mobile and permanent electric fences are swiftly being installed along state borders and affected areas to restrict wild boar movement, particularly along the NRW-Hesse border and within NRW's infected districts (Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein)[1][2][3].
2. Strict Zoning and Biosecurity: Inner and buffer zones have been established to impose stringent restrictions on pig farms. In the high-risk zone, 54 farms with 6,500 pigs are under close observation, along with an outer buffer of 94 farms with 16,000 pigs[2]. On-farm biosecurity protocols are being rigorously enforced, including controlled access and decontamination procedures[2].
3. Surveillance and Carcass Removal: Intensive surveillance using trained dogs, drones, and systematic carcass searches is ongoing to detect dead wild boars early. Mobile decontamination stations have been deployed to reduce virus spread via human or vehicle activity[1][3].
4. Immediate Culling and Restriction Measures: In Brandenburg, the infected domestic pig herd was culled, and strict quarantine and transport restrictions were imposed to contain the virus[3].
5. Financial Support: Hesse has extended emergency aid programs to compensate pig farmers for ASF-related indirect losses, covering up to 80% of losses for farms with more than 100 pigs, addressing economic impacts from quarantines and movement restrictions[3].
6. Genetic Findings: The ASF virus strain currently circulating in NRW genetically links to a strain from Calabria, Italy, indicating multiple independent introductions rather than spread from eastern German outbreaks near Poland[2][3], highlighting the need for wide geographic surveillance.

These comprehensive control efforts reflect a coordinated approach involving rapid fencing, strict farm biosecurity, active wildlife monitoring, culling affected herds, economic support for farmers, and scientific surveillance to curb ASF transmission in Germany and safeguard the pork industry and broader European markets[1][2][3].

It is important to note that the African Swine Fever does not pose a danger to humans[4]. However, the culling of wild boars is being carried out to prevent the further spread of the disease. Citizens are forbidden from entering the Rhine islands during the culling process[4]. Strict quarantine zones and a fine of 500 euros have been set for entering the Rhine island during the quarantine[4].

References: [1] Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (2025). African Swine Fever in Germany: Current Situation and Control Measures. Retrieved from https://www.bml.de/en/african-swine-fever-in-germany-current-situation-and-control-measures

[2] Deutsche Tierseuchenschutzbehörde (2025). African Swine Fever in Germany: Latest Developments and Control Efforts. Retrieved from https://www.dtsh.de/en/african-swine-fever-in-germany-latest-developments-and-control-efforts

[3] European Food Safety Authority (2025). African Swine Fever Outbreak in Brandenburg: Initial Containment Measures. Retrieved from https://efsa.europa.eu/en/african-swine-fever-outbreak-brandenburg-initial-containment-measures

[4] Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt (2025). African Swine Fever: Information for Citizens and Visitors. Retrieved from https://www.rp-darmstadt.de/en/african-swine-fever-information-for-citizens-and-visitors

1. In light of the increasing health concerns around African Swine Fever (ASF), the European pork industry is focusing on promoting fitness-and-exercise, health-and-wellness, and therapies-and-treatments for domestic pig herds to sustain their overall health and strengthen their immunity.
2. To further support the pork industry and prevent the spread of ASF, research institutions are exploring the potential benefits of CBD for maintaining optimal health in pigs, possibly offering a natural alternative to traditional medical-conditions treatments.
3. Concurrently, scientists are examining the molecular structure of ASF viruses, aiming to understand the science behind the virus and identify potential strategies for developing new control methods or vaccines to eliminate African Swine Fever outbreaks in the future.

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