- Government Official Warns Mushroom Foragers in Prohibited Area Regarding Swine Flu
Following the initial detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Baden-Württemberg, Agriculture Minister Peter Hauk (CDU) advised mushroom pickers in the affected region to exercise extreme caution. Inside the limited area, often referred to as Restricted Zone II, where the infected wild boar was found, the rule of staying on marked paths is strictly enforced. This helps prevent disturbing wild boars and reducing their panic-induced flight.
The CDU minister emphasized the significance of taking extra precautions while mushroom picking, suggesting that individuals should first verify if the desired forest area falls within an ASF Restricted Zone. Failure to adhere to the path rule can result in penalties.
Upon identifying a sick wild boar, the second restricted zone was established within a 15-kilometer radius surrounding the discover site in the Rhein-Neckar district. This includes parts of Mannheim city and certain zones in the Rhein-Neckar district, according to the ministry. Pigs can only be transported to these areas if they've undergone preliminary virus tests. Additionally, pig owners must maintain specific safety and hygiene protocols. A complete hunting ban has been imposed to prevent any startled wild boars that might be infected from scattering.
ASF is a severe, highly contagious, and incurable virus that affects only pigs, wild or domestic. Vaccinations are not an option to safeguard pigs against this infection. The virus tends to spread via direct contact between infected and uninfected animals, primarily through blood transmission. Indirect transmission is also possible through contaminated objects, such as vehicles, footwear, food, and feed.
Previously, the ASF outbreak struck the neighboring federal states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. This outbreak in the Rhein-Neckar district marks the first incidence in Baden-Württemberg since the isolated case in the Emmendingen district two years ago.
The CDU minister, along with the local authorities, strongly urges farmers in the affected region to strictly follow the ASF safety protocols, as the CDU is actively involved in addressing the spread of the disease. If the ASF Restricted Zone expands, it may affect other cities and districts, potentially requiring cooperation among various CDU-led governments.
