First case in Brandenburg: swine fever has reached Germany

Agriculture Minister Klöckner has confirmed a first case of African swine fever in Germany. The animal disease was found in a dead wild boar in Brandenburg.

African swine fever has reached Germany. There is a first case, said Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner. The suspicion of a wild boar carcass in Brandenburg was confirmed, reported on Wednesday night.

The wild boar carcass was found a few kilometers from the German-Polish border in the Spree-Neisse district. A sample of the dead animal was virologically examined by the Friedrich-Loeffler State Institute, which investigates animal health.

No danger to people

“African swine fever is harmless to humans,” Klöckner emphasized several times. Consuming possibly contaminated meat is safe. For pigs, however, the epidemic is almost always fatal.

With the first documented case, Germany loses its “disease-free” status. Bans on the export of pork to non-EU countries may now threaten, for example, Asia. Therefore, farmers are very concerned about the economic impact. Germany is one of the largest exporters of pork in the world. China is one of the most important clients.

The crisis team is set up

Klöckner tried to calm down: the emergency had been rehearsed, Germany was ready. The requirements of the national swine fever regulation went into effect. Your ministry will also establish a crisis team.

African swine fever is a serious viral infection. There is no vaccination or therapy, infected domestic pigs and wild boars often die. The virus is resistant and contagious for a long time. The pathogen can persist for months or even years in raw sausages, ham, and frozen meat.