October 1, 2020

Two new African swine fever cases in Germany, one in new district

Germany's Federal Agriculture Ministry said two more African swine fever (ASF) cases were confirmed in the country, with one case found in Maerkisch-Oderland district in Brandenburg state, about 60 km from where the initial ASF cases were discovered, Reuters reported.

The ministry called on Brandenburg state to prevent a further spread of ASF.

According to the Brandenburg state government, the Maerkisch-Oderland case involved a dead wild boar shot by a hunter. The site, which is close to the Poland border, will be closed off with a 20 km electrified fence.

Ursula Nonnemacher, Brandenburg state Health Minister said the latest case is remarked as a separate outbreak.

Nonnemacher said the ASF infection rate in west Poland is highly dynamic, adding that there is a need for a more permanent anti-boar fence along the border between both countries.

This brings the total ASF cases discovered in Germany to 38 since the first case was reported on September 10. All cases involved wild boar, with no farm livestock infected.

-      Reuters