Additional wild boar control measures announced in Brandenburg as confirmed ASF cases nears 50

Additional measures to control the wild boar population and to find and test dead animals in Brandenburg have been announced as the number of confirmed African swine fever cases in the state approaches 50. 

Three more cases of ASF were confirmed in wild boar in the region over the weekend, taking the total to 49. All three cases were in the core area around the original outbreak, confirmed on September 10.

New protection zones have been set up since the original cluster of cases as new outbreaks have emerged, including one in the north of the state 60km away from the original outbreak and thought to be unrelated to it. It is thought that the virus has been circulating in wild boar in the state at least since early July.

Brandenburg Consumer Protection Minister Ursula Nonnemacher has now ordered additional measures to control the virus beyond the existing protection zones, German pig industry organisation ISN reports.

This includes increased hunting across the state in order to reduce the wild boar population and an even more intensive search for and sampling of fallen game. The Minister said it was necessary to significantly reduce the wild boar population in the whole of Brandenburg and to examine every dead wild boar that is found. 

In a press release, Brandenburg’s Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection, states that in all administrative districts of the state outside the existing ASP restriction zones, those authorised to hunt should carry out the following measures:

• Area-wide increased hunting to reduce the wild boar population
• Increased search for dead wild boars (fall game search)
• Display, labelling and sampling for the virological examination of every wild boar found dead, including accidental game.

A €50 expense allowance for hunters for finding the fallen game, reporting and taking a sample has been offered by the state.