For the first time in Germany, domestic pigs are affected by African swine fever. A vaccine could also help against this disease – but it has not yet been developed.
The Federal Research Institute for Animal Health considers a vaccine against African swine fever (ASF) to be conceivable in a few years.
“We are working on a vaccine, but that is a difficult and complicated business,” said the head of the ASP reference laboratory at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Sandra Blome, of the “Märkischen Allgemeine” (Saturday). The virus is very complex. “In China, vaccines are being tested, but unfortunately some of them have considerable side effects or do not work well. I firmly believe we will get a vaccine, but it will take a few more years. ” Then wild boars would be vaccinated, not domestic pigs.
The highly infectious animal disease, which is harmless to humans, has spread to domestic pigs for the first time in Germany. In Brandenburg, a sow died in an organic farm with 200 animals in Neisse-Malxetal, southeast of Cottbus, and in Letschin, north of Frankfurt (Oder), a small-scale holding with two pigs is affected. The first outbreak in Germany was officially detected in a wild boar in September 2020, but animals are said to have died by July 2020. The Brandenburg state government, citing experts, has so far assumed that the virus could have been introduced via wild boars from Poland.
According to virologist Blome, restricted areas have paid off. “The measures work until someone makes a mistake,” said Blome. According to her, the outbreak was to be expected. “If you had perfect biosecurity on your farm, you could protect all domestic pig populations.” The virus can survive for a very long time, but the pathogen is not as contagious as foot-and-mouth disease. In terms of food hygiene, there is nothing to prevent eating the meat of infected pigs, she said. However, for reasons of animal health, it is forbidden to bring the meat of wild boar and domestic pigs out of protected areas around an outbreak site on the market. Because meat containing the virus could spread the disease – for example through incorrect disposal.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
