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German authorities confirm case of African swine fever in wild boar

Authorities in Germany have confirmed a case of African swine fever (ASF) in a wild boar in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the northwest of the country. The presence of the disease was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory for ASF at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), the leading animal disease research centre in Germany. The dead boar was found in the district of Olpe, and further suspected cases are currently being clarified, the FLI said. The exact ASF virus type is also in the process of being confirmed at the FLI in order to support the outbreak investigation in addition to the epidemiological task force. The authorities in North-Rhine Westphalia immediately initiated protective and control measures, including the search for further dead wild boars. In Germany, the federal states are responsible for combating animal diseases. The authorities responsible under state law carry out the measures to control animal diseases, while the FLI supports the epidemiological investigations. The authorities cannot confirm at present if this case in a wild boar is linked with African swine fever outbreaks in several other German states. This can only be assessed by closer examination of the virus from the Olpe area. The FLI said that outbreak investigations are important in order to asses the extent of the epidemic and to be able to take appropriate control measures. Farmers in the area are being advised to review biosecurity measures. In the case of epidemics in Germany, cases have so far occurred in domestic pigs, especially is summer. Therefore, increased vigilance is required, the FLI said. In Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently issued a reminder, via social media, for people never to feed food waste to pigs, as this can be a cause of ASF. In a post on social media platform X, the department said: 'African swine fever can survive for months to years in pork and pork products like cured hams, salamis, frozen pork, etc. Food waste containing infected meat that is eaten by animals can cause a disease outbreak. 'Never feed food waste to pigs,' the department post added.