This is the first recorded ASF outbreak in North Rhine-Westphalia — Germany’s most densely populated state, home to major cities such as Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen, and Cologne. Until June 2025, the virus had not been detected in this region. However, after the initial cases appeared among wild boars in the southwestern part of the state, it became clear that this outbreak resembles the ASF strain previously identified in Calabria, Southern Italy.
Most of the cases — 41 — have been reported in the Olpe district, with 7 more in neighboring Siegen-Wittgenstein. In response, local authorities established two restricted zones around the outbreak sites in accordance with EU legislation and installed protective fencing in the affected areas to contain the spread.
However, North Rhine-Westphalia is not the only state facing ASF challenges. The neighboring state of Hesse, located further south between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim, is experiencing an even more critical situation. According to the German Animal Disease Information System (TSIS), 1,586 infected wild boar carcasses have been identified in Hesse since the beginning of 2025. Combined with 633 cases from 2024, the total has reached 2,217.
While there have been no new ASF outbreaks among domestic pig farms in Hesse this year, the state has announced financial aid for pig producers suffering indirect losses. Farm access restrictions, quarantine measures, and transport limitations are causing significant economic impacts. As a result, the Hesse government has expanded its emergency assistance program — originally intended for natural disasters — to include ASF-related cases. The program offers compensation covering up to 80% of losses for farms with more than 100 pigs that were operational as of April 2024.
In terms of ASF cases in wild fauna, Hesse currently ranks third among German states — after Brandenburg (3,455 cases) and Saxony (2,399 cases). However, Hesse leads in the number of infected domestic pig farms this year, with nine cases reported.
The situation in Germany once again highlights that African Swine Fever remains a serious threat to pig farming. Effective control requires coordinated efforts, transparent communication, and strict, ongoing adherence to biosecurity measures.
PigUA.info based on materials from pigprogress.net