The emergence of African Swine Fever virus (ASFv) in the German state North Rhine Westphalia keeps on making victims. Late last week and this weekend another 6 positive cases were confirmed in the state’s wild boar population, bringing the total at 11.
All cases have been found in the district Olpe. According to the animal disease database of Germany’s reference lab Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 5 animals were still young (not even 1 year old) and 1 older sow.
The emergence of ASF in Germany’s most populous state is the latest development of the advancement of the virus through Germany. Mid-2024 the virus emerged in the region around Frankfurt-am-Main, about 150 km south of the current outbreak location.
The outbreaks in North Rhine Westphalia have sent a wave of alarm through the swine industry in both Belgium and the Netherlands as the border of both countries is also at about 150 km from Olpe district.