Epizootic - The fight against swine fever is costly and time-consuming
Since weeks, authorities and farmers in Baden-Württemberg have been concerned about the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in South Hesse - now the pig disease has been detected in the first domestic pig. In a protection zone, pig farmers must now adhere to strict protection and hygiene regulations to prevent further spread of the ASF virus. Here are some questions and answers regarding the current situation:
Why is African Swine Fever such a big problem?
ASF is almost always fatal, with over 90% of infected domestic and wild pigs dying within roughly a week. Although it is not considered highly contagious and spreads relatively slowly, it does not disappear on its own. The virus is highly persistent in the environment and especially in blood, which is why living wild pigs can become infected by contact with carcasses of infected peers for a long time. Carcass disposal and retrieval is therefore a crucial element in controlling the disease in wild pigs. For domestic pigs, carcass removal and intensive cleaning and disinfection of the herd is required after culling.
What measures are being taken to prevent further spread?
Within the protection zone, which is a three-kilometer radius around the affected farm and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone, stricter regulations apply to farms. Farmers must intensively monitor their herds daily and pay particular attention to symptoms such as fever or increased mortality rates, according to the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture. "Any deviation should be reported immediately to the responsible authorities." Stricter restrictions also apply to the transportation and processing of animals and pig products. In addition, a general order will be issued promptly, and wild boar carcasses will be searched for "with great effort." Wild boar fences will also be erected. Concerns about the spread of ASF also exist in Rhineland-Palatinate, as two suspicious wild boars were found in Gimbsheim in the Alzey-Worms district on Saturday.
How large are the pig herds in Hesse?
According to the Hessian Farmers' Association, a total of 462,389 pigs were kept in Hesse in the previous year in 3,978 farms. This means that an average Hessian pig farmer keeps 116 pigs.
What damage does it cause to affected farms?
An entry in a pig herd and the associated culling is a significant burden for each farm - "financially as well as mentally," according to the Farmers' Association. A total of 3,500 pigs are being kept in the protection and surveillance zones. In addition to restrictions on trade and processing of animals, there are also restrictions on slaughter - this poses a challenge for farmers in terms of space, as a spokeswoman for the Farmers' Association explained. So far, there have been no noticeable effects on pig meat prices. "We have had ASF in Brandenburg and Saxony for some time, so the effects on Germany as a whole due to the Hessian outbreak have been manageable so far."
What help do affected farmers receive?
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, affected farms receive compensation payments half from the Animal Disease Fund and half from the state of Hessen. The amount of compensation is based on the common value of the animals to be slaughtered and those that have died. The corresponding maximum amounts are legally determined. In certain cases, the Animal Disease Fund would grant voluntary payments for cleaning and disinfection. The basic principles are regulated in the Animal Health Law. According to the Ministry, not only pig farmers but also so-called non-infected, i.e., farmers without pig farming or those who manage fields without a direct link to a pig farm, can demand compensation for damage to property.
What other animal diseases are there in Hessen at present?
Apart from African Swine Fever, Blue Tongue Disease has also arrived in Hessen. According to the Ministry's announcement, this animal disease was detected last week in a cow in Alsfeld (Vogelsbergkreis). The disease caused by a virus affects ruminants. It is often fatal for sheep and goats. The consequences for farmers: Since the detection of the disease, no animals from Hessen can be transported to disease-free regions within the EU, including neighboring federal states without Blue Tongue cases. According to the Ministry's statement, the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bremen, and Rhineland-Palatinate are also affected, as well as Belgium and the Netherlands outside Germany.
The virus is not transmitted from animal to animal but through small bloodsucking flies, known as gnats or midges. Cattle can be vaccinated against Blue Tongue Disease. According to a Ministry spokesperson, the vaccine protects against severe courses but not against infection. In Hessen, there are approximately 400,000 head of cattle and 165,000 sheep. The Blue Tongue Disease agent is not transmissible to humans. Meat and milk, as well as products derived from them, can be consumed without concern according to the Ministry.
- To prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Wiesbaden and Southern Hesse, BMELV has implemented strict protection and hygiene regulations for pig farmers within a three-kilometer protection zone and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone.
- Large pig herds in Friedrichsdorf and other parts of Hesse pose a potential risk for the spread of ASF, as the virus is highly persistent in the environment and especially in pig blood.
- The arrival of African Swine Fever in Baden-Württemberg and now in Hesse has caused concern among farmers and authorities, with over 90% of infected pigs typically dying within a week.
- The recent detection of ASF in Wiesbaden has led to tightened regulations for pig farming, including daily monitoring of herds and immediate reporting of any deviations to authorities.
- In addition to Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate also faces concerns about the spread of ASF, with two suspicious wild boars found in Gimbsheim.
- The economy of pig farmers in Southern Hesse is significantly affected by ASF, with the culling of infected animals and restrictions on animal trade and slaughter posing financial and mental burdens.
- Affected pig farmers in Wiesbaden and the surrounding areas receive compensation payments from the Animal Disease Fund and the state of Hesse, based on the common value of the animals to be slaughtered and those that have died.
- To control the spread of ASF in wild pigs, carcass disposal and retrieval are crucial, as the virus can persist in the environment and especially in blood for a long time.
- Apart from ASF, other animal diseases, such as Blue Tongue Disease, have also been detected in Hesse, including in a cow in Alsfeld (Vogelsbergkreis), causing restrictions on animal transport within the EU.
