Case of African swine fever in western Poland
The Polish veterinary service informed the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture today that on November 14, 2019, African swine fever was found in a wild boar found dead in the Lubusz Voivodeship, in the Wschowski district - about 80 kilometers from the border with Brandenburg. For five years there has been an epidemic in eastern Poland, which is about 250 km away from the current case.
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture is in constant contact with the Polish authorities and the EU Commission. In June 2018, the veterinary authorities of Poland and Germany also carried out a joint exercise to ensure a rapid flow of information between the local and higher-level veterinary authorities of both countries after African swine fever was detected.
So far there has been no case of African swine fever in Germany
African swine fever has also posed a threat to Germany for several years, which is why prevention is the top priority for the ministry. Among other things, a multilingual information campaign was started, in which information is provided online and with flyers and posters at petrol stations and rest areas. Careless disposal of pork products contaminated with ASF, for example, can be a source of infection for wild boar.
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture once again refers to the strict compliance with biosecurity measures in the pig farms and in this respect to the specifications of the Pig Husbandry Hygiene Ordinance. In addition, those who are authorized to hunt are requested to report dead wild boar found to the responsible authorities in order to ensure that an appropriate investigation is carried out.
