African swine fever reaches Märkisch-Oderland: exclusion zone set up!

African swine fever reaches Märkisch-Oderland: exclusion zone set up!

African swine fever (ASF) is making headlines again, and not for the first time. In the Märkisch-Oderland district, the disease was discovered in a wild boar that was killed at the river border. This immediately triggered a general animal disease decree, which led to the establishment of an exclusion zone for the villages of Bleyen, Genschmar, Groß Neuendorf, Kienitz and Sophienthal. Affected farmers and residents are concerned about the possible impact on local animal husbandry and the wild boar population. [RBB24]. virus indicates.

It is a problem that not only endangers the health of pigs, but also has economic consequences. African swine fever usually leads to the death of infected animals within a few days - but the disease remains harmless to humans. Nevertheless, farmers are alarmed and are taking the situation very seriously, especially considering the particular risks coming from neighboring regions, such as the Spree-Neisse district.

An overview of the current situation

Implementing Regulation 2023/594 to combat African swine fever came into force on November 23, 2024 and brought with it some changes. Many exclusion zones that were previously established have been reviewed and some have even been almost completely lifted. For example, exclusion zone II in the Spree-Neiße and Oberspreewald-Lausitz districts was partially transferred to exclusion zone I. This information is crucial for everyone who works in agriculture or lives near the affected areas, as the details on the [Brandenburg Ministry of Agriculture] website make clear.

The disease originated in Africa and has been detected in wild boars in Georgia since mid-2007. From there it spread further to neighboring countries and ultimately to Europe. In recent years, ASF has found wetlands in various European countries, including Lithuania, Poland and Latvia. The risks associated with an entry of the disease into Germany are assessed as high, particularly due to the intensive wild boar density and the low biosecurity precautions in neighboring regions, as the Friedrich Loeffler Institute correctly states. It is important to note that the risk is also increased by illegal disposal of contaminated material.

Consequences for agriculture and animal husbandry

The economic consequences of African swine fever should not be underestimated. A significant proportion of pig farming has been affected, forcing farmers to take stricter precautions and keep abreast of the latest developments. The hunting community is also under pressure because combating ASF requires preventive measures when contracting wild boar.

Concern about animal health and the stability of local agriculture remains great. At a time when the markets are already tense, there is a lot to do for everyone involved. It remains to be hoped that new measures and increasing awareness can contain the spread of ASF and that farmers in the region emerge from this crisis stronger. The next few months will be crucial to overcome this challenge and ensure the future security of livestock farming.