ASF Germany: Virus jumps to second district in NRW state

The emergence of ASF virus in Germany’s North Rhine Westphalia state is not limited to only 1 district. A novel case in wild boar has been found about 5 km to the west of the original 11 cases, in Siegen-Wittgenstein district.

The new case was found early July, close to the town Bad Berleberg – provisionally indicated on the map below. Germany’s reference laboratory Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI) has already confirmed the case. Allegedly, the animal had already been dead for 2-3 weeks, German agricultural title Top Agrar wrote.

The other 11 cases in North Rhine Westphalia state were found in Olpe district in June, close to the town Kirchhundem. All 11 cases were found within a 500 m radius. As a result of those outbreaks, an infected zone was constructed, which also included parts of neighbouring districts Siegen-Wittgenstein as well as Hochsauerland. The newly found carcass was inside that zone.

Top Agrar also zoomed in on the amount of pigs in this so-called “infected zone.” That turned out to be 6,503 pigs. All in all, there are 62 locations where pigs are being held at the moment, of which 5 are over 699 animals.

• Over 699 pigs on-site: 5 farms
• Between 21 and 699 pigs on-site: 6 farms
• Fewer than 21 pigs on-site: 51 locations

 The marketing of pigs from this zone has been started up after a 15-day standstill, Top Agrar added. A special permit is needed for the marketing, which includes the taking of blood samples as well as an examination by the district vet. All the authorities are aiming for is to avoid a marketing backlog.

Tags: ASF, Pigs, Germany, Virus, case