African swine fever - Will she be coming to Germany soon?

African swine fever spreads from Poland and the Czech Republic to the vicinity of the Bavarian border. What can be done about it?

Wild and domestic pigs affected
In the Czech Republic, several dozen wild boars have been found that are infected with the disease. There are also numerous cases of domestic pigs.

African swine kills wild boars as well as domestic pigs. It is harmless to humans. (Image: prochym / fotolia.com)

Devastating consequences
Consumer advocate dr. Klaus Bornhorst from Paderborn warns: "An outbreak in domestic stocks would be a crisis with devastating consequences for the entire agriculture and meat processing industry."

What does an outbreak actually mean?
If the epidemic were to eradicate among domestic swine in Germany, this would lead to an immediate ban on imports of third countries for German pork, and pigs from flocks that are rife with the disease should no longer be traded.

death rate
Affected animals die almost without exception in a few days.

Is there a vaccine?
There is no vaccine. Hygiene and firing of potentially affected wild boar are the only ways to prevent the disease.

How is the disease transmitted??
Pigs transmit the plague to pigs. But viruses on the vans, on shoes, clothing or slaughter waste spread the pathogen.

A long-lived virus
The virus lasts months, in frozen meat even up to six years.

leftovers
Bornhorst explains: "Leftovers left by travelers or truck drivers at petrol stations, rest areas or motorway parking lots are a danger. If infected meat and sausage remains are eaten by wild boars, they then carry the virus and can spread it. "

Sausage breads of travelers?
Baden-Wuerttemberg Minister of Agriculture Peter Hauk says: "Our experts assume that people's travel activities are largely responsible for the progression of the epizootic disease." Contaminated food leftovers at petrol stations that feed wild boars could infect wild boar.

Danger to humans?
African swine fever has nothing to do with human disease. There is no danger to humans.

Potential transmitters
The virus spreads over contaminated clothing, shoes or vehicles. Especially hunters and truck drivers should therefore clean their clothes and vehicles.

How can farmers make provision?
Pig farmers can now hedge against a potential outbreak. For this they should urgently follow hygiene measures in the company. If they do not do so, the Tierseuchenkasse will pay them no compensation for animals that died of the disease.

Report suspicious animals
Hunters should report sick and dead boars to the veterinary office that inspects the animals.

epidemic control
Animal breeders should avoid any contact between wild and domestic pigs, even over objects. Wild boar hunts should use disinfected items.

Farmers and hunters
A special risk carry farmers, who are also hunters. Hunting clothes, hunted animals, hunting dogs, etc. should not come into contact with the pigsty. (Dr. Utz Anhalt)