African swine fever: HSK on alert after outbreak!

African swine fever: HSK on alert after outbreak!

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a new case of African swine fever (ASF) is causing great concern among pig farmers. On June 14, 2025, the first confirmed case of this dangerous animal disease was registered in the Olpe district. On June 13, a hunter found a dead wild boar whose first test for the ASF virus was positive. When the case was confirmed by the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health on June 15, the alert authorities were already in action to prevent the virus from spreading further. The Sauerland courier reports that the infected zone covers a radius of around 15 kilometers, in which around 90 farms with around 7,000 pigs are located, including around 4,700 pigs in the restriction area of ​​the Hochsauerlandkreis (HSK).

The Agriculture Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Silke Gorißen, commented on the current situation and emphasized that the outbreak of the disease was not unexpected. Strict protective measures now apply in this region, which include the transport of pigs and a ban on hunting in the infected zone. These rules are part of a comprehensive strategy paper aimed at further containing ASF. Hunters in the region were also encouraged to bring meat samples from wild boars they had killed to collection points in order to minimize additional risks.

Massive concern among farmers

The affected farmers, like Sabine Köhne from the Köhne farm in Ebbinghof, are alarmed. They have taken action to get rid of their pigs. “There is a lot of uncertainty,” says Köhne, who has also taken safety precautions for the guests of her holiday farm. Farmer Matthias Gast from Schüren, who lives outside the infected zone, is also confronted with the situation and has tightened his hygiene measures on the farm in order not to take any risks.

The situation is further aggravated by the discovery of five dead wild boars, which also fell victim to the virus. The WDR reports on an ongoing search operation with around 50 emergency services, with a special search dog squad being used. After the first discovery, no other infected animal has been detected, but the authorities remain on guard.

Background to ASP

African swine fever is a highly contagious viral infection that affects both domestic and wild pigs. The disease is fatal in most cases, but poses no danger to humans. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture informs that symptoms in infected pigs may include fever, weakness and respiratory problems. The risk of transmission is particularly high through contact with ancient animals and contaminated materials. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution in affected areas.

An appeal was made to citizens to stay away from forests and to keep dogs on a leash. As many measures as possible are intended to contain the spread of the virus and protect the region's pig herds. Even if the situation is tense, there is still hope that targeted protective measures can prevent the ASF virus from spreading further.