Görlitz: A year-free-are we really on the safe side?

Görlitz: A year-free-are we really on the safe side?

The African Swine plague (ASP), which has caused a sensation in Germany over the past few years, has achieved a decisive turning point in the district of Görlitz. On June 30, 2025, the last confirmed case was officially classified as no longer actively classified. This means that people in the region can breathe a sigh of relief after no new infections have been recorded since July 2024. This development brings some light into the dark, which has been floating over the farmers and hunters since the first outbreak in October 2020.

In total, impressive 1,467 ASP-positive wild boars have been detected in the Görlitz district in the past five years. In order to contain the plague, more than 5,000 dead wild boars were to be recovered and used over 1,700 days of use. The authorities carried out comprehensive measures, including the construction of fences, the implementation of fall game searches and the coordination of hygiene measures. The success of this proven strategy has contributed to the introduction of the virus into domestic pigs to date.

Caution and vigilance remain required

Despite these positive developments, the risk of African swine fever does not remain out of the world. The blocking zones along the Neisse, which have been set up as a protective measure, remain. Udo Mann, the district veterinarian of the district, emphasizes how important it is to remain vigilant despite the progress achieved. In particular in view of the geographical location of Görlitz ’on the border with Poland and the Czech Republic, one is in particular responsibility. A look across the border shows that there are also high -risk areas in Poland that require constant observation.

The Free State of Saxony also plans to submit an application to the European Commission in autumn in order to reduce the existing restriction zones. However, the authorities will continue to force the hunting of wild boar and set up preventive protective strips.

What is the African swine fever?

The African swine plague is known as a highly contagious viral infection and affects both house and wild boars. It can almost always lead to the death of the infected animals, which explains the need for strict hygiene measures and organic safety in pig farming. Informative material from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture describes that the virus is transmitted primarily through direct contact and its contaminated objects. The contact with carcasses of infected animals is also highly risky because the virus there remains infectious for several weeks.

The continuing vigilance of the hunters and farmers is the key to keep the virus away from the region in the long term. Regular checks and strict monitoring of the wild boar population are necessary in order to be able to act early if the virus should access again.

The comprehensive measures to combat the ASP show how important cooperation, vigilance and commitment are at regional and national level to protect agriculture and animal stands in Germany. This is a clear lesson from previous years.

As the current developments in the district of Görlitz show, the region has learned a lot from this challenge and continuously works to prepare for all eventualities.

For further information and developments in the African swine plague, these pages are available: schweine.net, MDR and and BMEL.