Success in the fight against African swine fever: fences fall in Dresden!

Success in the fight against African swine fever: fences fall in Dresden!

In Dresden there is gratifying news in connection with the African swine plague (ASP): The measures to contain the plague were obviously successful. There are currently no new infection cases. Therefore, the gradual dismantling of the game protection fences built in the north of Dresden will begin in the coming weeks. These fences, which were set up on Bundesstraße 6 between Rossendorf, Weißig and Bühlau and between the Dresden-Nord and Weixdorf motorway triangle, had the goal of preventing the spread of virus by wild boar. The unlimited access to agricultural and forestry areas is facilitated by the dismantling.

The costs for the dismantling amount to around 230,000 euros and are borne by the Free State of Saxony. Despite the positive development, ongoing monitoring and prevention measures remain to monitor the ASP situation. The property owner, residents and hunters are asked to report dead finds from wild boar immediately to the veterinary office in order to ensure the early detection of ASP cases. Contact options can be reached by phone at 0351-4887551 or by email to veterinaeramt@dresden.de. As reports Dresden.de, the African swine plague is a high -containing animal disease that only affects pigs and is harmless to humans.

The challenges of ASP

The African swine fever is almost always fatal for pigs. Despite intensive control measures, there is no vaccine or therapeutic agent to heal infected animals. Combating is therefore limited to organic security, hygienic measures and the regulation of wild boar populations. The jurisdiction for the fight against animal diseases lies with the federal states, whereby the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture strengthen various prevention and clarification measures.

The risk of distribution is particularly pressing, since the virus can be transmitted through direct contact between wild and kept pigs or through virus-containing foods. In addition, the virus remains infectious for a long time even in chilled, frozen and smoked meat. A look at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut enables a weekly update of ASP cases in Germany and Europe. The ASP has been spreading in Europe since 2014, whereby Germany has recorded cases in Brandenburg, Saxony and other federal states, among other things.

Continuous surveillance and prudence in dealing with wild boar and their habitat are of central importance in order to effectively stop the spread of the ASP. With regard to the future, the early detection of new introduced cases remains essential.