- Swine fever in Hesse creates further restricted zone
Another discovery of a pig infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) in South Hesse has implications for Rhineland-Palatinate. Following the discovery in Hessian Biblis, an infected zone has been established, covering parts of the city of Ludwigshafen, including the BASF plant, the city of Frankenthal, and the municipalities of Beindersheim, Grossniedesheim, Klein-niedesheim, and Bobenheim-Roxheim, as reported by the Rhein-Pfalz district.
From Tuesday, a leash requirement for dogs will be in effect in this zone. Cyclists and riders will only be allowed to stay in forest areas on designated paths, according to the then-effective general decree of the district. Events involving pigs, such as fairs or auctions, are prohibited. Wild boars may not be brought into or out of the zone.
On the other side of the Rhine in Hesse, protective zones had recently been expanded following carcass findings. In Rhineland-Palatinate, such zones had only existed in the districts of Mainz-Bingen and Alzey-Worms so far, with only those areas having had ASF cases previously. Recently, a kilometer-long mobile electric fence was also set up, spanning the territory of both districts, intended to restrict the movement of potentially infected wild boars.
African Swine Fever was first detected in Hesse in mid-June, in a wild boar in the district of Groß-Gerau. Later, pig farms were also affected, unlike in Rhineland-Palatinate so far. The viral disease is not curable and is almost always fatal for wild and domestic pigs. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, it is harmless to humans and other animal species.
Due to the recently discovered case of Swine fever in a pig in South Hesse, there are implications for Rhineland-Palatinate. To prevent the spread of the disease, wild boars are not allowed to be brought into or out of the affected zone in Hesse.
The expansion of protective zones in Hesse following Swine fever discoveries is significant, as such zones had only existed in the districts of Mainz-Bingen and Alzey-Worms in Rhineland-Palatinate until recently.
