A case of African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in the district of Bautzen. A wild boar shot in Königswartha on January 26 was tested positive for ASF by the Saxony State Testing Institute (LUA), according to the district office. Wild boar searches are currently being carried out with the support of drones to assess the epidemiological situation.
No case of ASF had been detected in Saxony for almost six months. According to the information provided, the location of the discovery is in the exclusion zone that has been in place for months. The protective measures would therefore continue to apply. For example, dog owners must keep their animals on a lead and pig farmers must report their herds. The transportation of pigs within or out of the district is only possible with a special permit from the veterinary office. It is also forbidden to keep pigs outside or in the open.
African swine fever is a viral infection that only affects pigs. It is almost always fatal and incurable. Surviving animals do not develop immunity to the virus and can become infected again. To date, there is no way to protect pigs through vaccination. The disease can be transmitted directly from animal to animal or indirectly via contaminated objects and feed.
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