Swine fever in Groß-Gerau: A year in crisis mode and no improvement!

Swine fever in Groß-Gerau: A year in crisis mode and no improvement!

There has been a red alert in the Groß-Gerau district for a year. African swine fever (ASF) has the region firmly under control, and the first district representative Adil Oyan from the Greens makes it clear: the fight against the disease is far from over. Despite intensive containment measures, there are ongoing challenges affecting the entire region. That's what they report Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that the outbreak was detected in the Rüsselsheim Forest at the end of March or beginning of April 2023. Since then, the situation has been tense, especially after a suspected case that was reported on June 14, 2024 and confirmed by tests by the Friedrich Löffler Institute.

Fighting ASF requires enormous efforts. Wildlife fences are quickly erected to protect animal herds. The use of drones for cadaver testing and specially trained search dogs is also part of the strategy. Restriction zones have also been set up to control the spread of the virus. The press spokesman for the Hesse State Hunting Association, Markus Stifter, emphasizes the animal protection aspects. “It is important to us to reduce the wild boar population as much as possible,” he explains, which is also crucial for animal rights activists and farmers.

Massive impact on agriculture

In addition to the health risks, ASF also has massive economic consequences. After all, around 3,500 domestic pigs from several farms in the south of the district had to be killed - a serious blow for the affected breeders, who fear for their existence. Selina Müller from the Starkenburg Regional Farmers' Association demands that politicians finally provide the necessary support to help farmers through this crisis. “We have to support those affected during this difficult time,” she is convinced.

In addition, the high mortality rates among infected animals place an additional burden on the economic situation Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture emphasized. Although ASF is harmless to humans, it almost always kills pigs and wild boars and causes significant socio-economic problems. The virus spreads primarily through direct contact between wild and domestic pigs, but also through contaminated food. It is therefore crucial that hygiene measures are strictly observed by both farmers and travelers and transporters.

Future perspectives

In order to combat the spread of ASF, effective early warning and exchange with neighboring countries is essential European Food Authority notes. However, reducing the number of infections will take the region years because there are neither vaccines nor cures to combat it. The authorities fighting the disease are faced with the enormous task of containing and monitoring the disease in order to reduce the risks to animal agriculture. The signs of ASF are alarming: high fever, convulsions and sudden deaths make the virus deadly serious.

The political committees are now required to act with foresight and provide the necessary resources to secure agriculture in Hesse. Agriculture must continue to flourish even under these difficult conditions, because one thing is clear: something is happening and the population is eagerly awaiting the next developments in this never-ending crisis.