The risk of pigpest remains: restricted zones in Baden-Württemberg continue to apply

The risk of pigpest remains: restricted zones in Baden-Württemberg continue to apply

The Ministry of Agriculture in Baden-Württemberg has made the alarming situation clear about the African swine plague (ASP). Despite the gratifying news that no new case has occurred for almost two months, a spokesman for the ministry emphasizes: "The danger has not yet been banned." The background is that the risk of further spreading the plague under wild boar is still considered to be very high.

The ASP was last confirmed by a hunter in the Rhein-Neckar district at the beginning of August when he moved a diseased wild boar in which the virus was detected. This incident is the first in Baden-Württemberg since the last known case two years ago in the district of Emmendingen. The permanent state of the plague in the neighboring federal states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate also causes concern.

blocking zones remain

In order to prevent the spread of the ASP, several restricted zones have been set up around the site of the infected wild boar. People may only be transported within a radius of 15 kilometers if they were previously tested for the virus. This is part of the strict measures that pig farmers have to take to minimize the risk of infection.

These safety precautions must be continued for the time being, and this for at least twelve months after the last confirmed case. However, the decision on the possible cancellation or reduction of these blocking zones lies with the EU Commission. Until then, there is a strict ban on hunting in the affected areas in order to avoid the absence of wild boars that the virus could possibly wear.

transmission paths of the swine plague

The African swine fever is a highly contagious viral infection that only affects pig types and is not transferable for humans. The infection is mainly through direct contact between infected and healthy animals, but also indirectly via contaminated objects and food. It is particularly questionable that there is currently no vaccination against the disease. For companies that hold pigs, this disease represents an existential risk. In addition to the possibility of losing the entire animal population, genetic losses and space problems as a result of production stops.

Due to the continued challenges that the African swine fever brings, the pressure on the responsible authorities remains high to continuously take suitable measures to prevent further spread of the plague. In this critical phase, it is essential that everyone involved rigorously complies with the security measures carried out in order to protect the swine population in the region in the best possible way. Further developments in this context are required because the situation remains tense.

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