African swine fever threatens the Soest district – measures against the disease!

African swine fever threatens the Soest district – measures against the disease!

Extreme caution is currently required in the Soest district, as African swine fever (ASF) is threateningly approaching. Immediately after a confirmed case among wild boars in the neighboring Olpe district, Martina Poppe, the district veterinary director, is calling for increased outbreak prevention measures. “It is crucial that we prevent another outbreak,” she emphasizes. In this context, a general decree was issued that requires hunters to take a blood sample from every wild boar they kill. These samples can be picked up from the municipal public order offices and from the district hall; the costs for this are borne by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Similar regulations already apply in the districts of Hochsauerland, Paderborn and Siegen-Wittgenstein.

But what exactly is ASP? African swine fever is a highly contagious viral infection that affects both farmed and wild boars. According to that Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture Infections are fatal in more than 90 percent of affected animals. Fortunately, the disease is harmless to humans. Transmission occurs through direct contact between wild and domestic pigs and through contaminated food, making it important to dispose of leftover food carefully.

Precautions and reporting system

An online reporter for dead wild boars has been set up in the Soest district in order to actively involve the population in monitoring. “If someone comes across a dead wild boar in the forest, the carcass should be reported immediately and it is important not to touch the animal,” Poppe continued. Dogs should also avoid contact with dead wild boars to prevent transmission of the virus.

ASF has been spreading in Europe since 2014, particularly in southeastern countries, and has already caused outbreaks in several German states such as Brandenburg, Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate. The economic situation for farmers is tense. The exclusion zones and trade restrictions could cause a severe setback if the epidemic is not contained. That's why that is Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs whose guidelines aim to prevent the virus from being introduced into Switzerland and other regions.

The following applies to animal owners and hunters: stay alert! There is no vaccine against ASF, which further complicates the situation. In the event of suspicion, veterinarians should be informed immediately and appropriate samples should be sent to the Institute of Virology and Immunology for exclusion testing.

How the situation will develop remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the health of pig herds is important to all of us and everyone can do their part to prevent it.