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ASF nightmare: New case discovered in the Siegen-Wittgenstein district!
Infected zones in Hochsauerlandkreis: new cases of African swine fever in North Rhine-Westphalia, strict protective measures required.
ASF nightmare: New case discovered in the Siegen-Wittgenstein district!
In the shadow of the picturesque landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia, there is currently worrying news to report. In the region that is already under the threat of African swine fever (ASF) is suffering, the situation has become worrying in recent days. The infection zone extends across parts of the Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein and Hochsauerlandkreis districts and now also includes new ASF cases.
Latest developments bring bad news: A wild boar carcass was found near Bad Berleburg and tested positive for the virus. This marks the first confirmed case of ASF in the wild boar population in the Olpe district. Eleven dead wild boars had previously been found in the area around Kirchhundem. These findings lie within the already established infected zone. The Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute have confirmed the infection and the NRW Ministry of Agriculture is in close contact with the responsible district.
High risk for the animal population
The ASP is a highly contagious viral infection that causes high mortality among domestic and wild pigs. Particularly worrying: A new virus variant was found in North Rhine-Westphalia that differs significantly from those in other western German states. One wonders how the virus found its way from Italy to North Rhine-Westphalia and whether it could possibly spread more quickly.
However, there is a ray of hope for local people: ASF poses no danger to people, pets or other wild animals such as deer. Dogs and cats cannot become infected either. However, it is forbidden to consume meat from infected animals and consumers must ensure that contaminated meat does not end up on the market.
Precautions and notifications
Extensive measures are being taken to contain ASF. The relevant veterinary authorities have set up protected zones which are marked with appropriate signs. If you see an infected wild boar, you are strongly advised to stay away and report any suspicious observations to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Independent searches for wild boars and their rescue within the infected zone are prohibited in order to contain the spread of the virus.
The public is encouraged to report dead bodies directly to the district veterinary office. The search for fallen game will continue and discussions are ongoing about a possible expansion of protective measures. A coordinated group is active to address the challenges posed by ASF.
It appears that this remains a critical moment for people and wildlife in NRW that requires attention and cooperation. Ultimately, this is not just a widespread problem, but a challenge that must be addressed with care and responsibility.