Inside Pigs
Concerns about the spread of ASF through offal
In recent weeks, many wild boars infected with African swine fever (ASF) have again been found in the East German provinces of Brandenburg and Saxony. The Brandenburg Ministry of Agriculture speaks of a great deal of pressure across the border in Poland, which considerably increases the risks for the northern parts of Brandenburg, where relatively few sick animals have been found until now.
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The person ultimately responsible for the CISIS team responsible for combating African swine fever was on site this week to be updated on the progress in combating the animal disease. In addition to the intensive search for dead and sick pigs, work is also underway on a second fence along the existing 270 kilometer fence along the Polish-German border. A 'white zone' must be created between the two fences within which all boars will be shot.
The number of cases continues to rise significantly
After record numbers of infected boars were found in June and July, the high numbers appear to be maintaining in August. So far in August, 208 German wild boars have been found to be infected with ASF. Of these, 148 were found in Brandenburg and 60 in Saxony. This brings the total number of ASF cases identified since the first outbreak last September to 1996.
One of the cases was found in the Uckermark region, in the north of the province of Brandenburg. AVP has thus come within 25 kilometers of a third German province, Mecklenburg - Vorpommern.
Offal fed to birds of prey
This week there was a commotion in the province of Thuringia. Local conservationists trying to support the population of birds of prey in the province appear to be leaving large amounts of offal in the wild. It serves as food for birds of prey, but poses enormous risks in times of African swine fever, a hunter in the area told German media. "A piece of infected animal only needs to be present among the carcasses once. It can have major consequences for the wild boars and farmed pigs in the area."
The province of Thuringia borders the province of Saxony, where many hundreds of infected wild boars have already been found. Local authorities indicate that supplementary feeding takes place in accordance with all legal conditions.