North-Rhine Westphalia’s Agriculture Ministry Reports Further Discovery of Dead Wild Boars Suspected of African Swine Fever in Olpe District
In the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia, additional carcasses of wild boars suspected of being infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) have been found in the Olpe district. The ministry announced the discovery on Sunday, stating that the new finds were located near the initial discovery site in Kirchhundem and are currently being analyzed at the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Agency in Arnsberg. Official confirmation from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute is still pending.
Search teams from the state and the Olpe district, comprising specially trained dogs and drones, have been scouring the area for further deceased animals, according to the authorities. To contain the outbreak, the region is set to see the construction of protective barriers and the issuance of special regulations for pig keepers, hunters and dog owners.
The ministry has called on farmers and hobby breeders to strictly adhere to biosafety measures, including the fencing of stable areas and the use of hygiene airlocks.