News African Swine Fever
Germany does not get AVP under it yet
The number of wild boars that have tested positive for African swine fever (ASF) in Germany remains quite high. In the period from 20 to 26 April, a total of 51 animals tested positive for the virus.
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This is evident from the report overview of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI). The number of infections rose relatively sharply, particularly in Saxony. A total of 26 infected boars were found in the state during the period mentioned. This brings the total number of infected animals in Saxony to 134. In Brandenburg, 25 infected animals were found. The total number of infected animals here is now 933.
The weekly number of infections is increasing again
While the number of animals infected with ASF seemed to decrease slightly in February and March, the number of reports has increased again in recent weeks. At the lowest point this year, 22 infected animals were found in one week. Last week, the 33rd full week after the first found boar with ASF, 78 infections were detected (Friday 16 to Friday 23 April). All infected boars were found within the existing 'infected' zones in Germany.
Klöckner calls for action
Julia Klöckner, the German Minister of Agriculture, last week urged Dietmar Woidke, the President of Brandenburg, to better coordinate prevention and control measures against the quarantine disease. According to Klöckner, this happened after criticism came from 'various quarters' about how the various agencies involved in combating ASF work together.
Holes in the fences have also been reported. "In addition to a better joint approach, it is also necessary to make it clear to the population in the affected areas what the importance of the approach is. This is necessary to prevent the disease from spreading to other states," said Klöckner.