The African swine fever has come closer again. The most recent finding of wild boar infected with African swine fever is only 30 km away from Warsaw . This puts the risk of epidemic disease further west than ever before in Poen. In 2014, when it began to document the cases, it was manageable few events along the Polish-Russian border and scattered parts of the Baltic States.From January to mid-Nov. 2017, a total of 2,833 cases of ASF in wild boars have been detected. The number of reported infected domestic pigs is 156 animals. The dark figures are likely to be much higher. The worst affected are the Baltic States with Lithuania at the top . If the development continues as before, one expects there with approx. 1,000 cases in one year .In Poland, 429 wild boars have been identified and 80 cases of domestic swine have been reported. The area has so far concentrated on a narrow strip in northeastern Poland along the Belorussian border , which was declared as a restricted area. The latest findings further to the west are interpreted as a clear sign that the epidemic has already advanced much further west than previously thought. This is also shown by the rising finds in the Czech Republic with an even closer proximity to Germany's borders than is the case in Poland.The spread of ASF over larger distances is predominantly by human hands. Seasonal workers from the affected areas may bring infected material. Hunters and holidaymakers who are invited to hunt in these areas are also part of the group of potential dissemination candidates. Even truck drivers , in ignorance of the infected foods, can help transport the virus over long distances. The ASF virus is infectious in corresponding meat particles for more than half a year .The disease leads to death relatively quickly in pigs. As a rule, from 2 to 3 days to go out. Infested animals therefore can not overcome great distances. In the case of a pestilence no vaccines are available. One will try with culling actions to keep the spread under control. The far greater damage , however, will be triggered by the stalls of importing countries . After all, Germany is one of the major exporting countries the EU. The price collapse could have devastating consequences.
