09/27/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/27/2024 02:10
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Recent reports of African Swine Fever, a virus that only affects domestic and wild boars, have raised some concerns recently in Germany.
African Swine Fever is a viral disease that is incurable for wild and domestic pigs/boars and is almost always fatal. The disease is transmitted directly from animal to animal (although indirect transmission is possible, for example via contaminated objects like agricultural equipment, hunting equipment, clothing, feed or food).
While African Swine Fever is not a risk to human or other animals, even when eating meat or sausage products from infected animals, there are a few important things you can keep in mind:
In general:
If you run across a boar or group of wild boars:
Boars usually avoid human contact and only come into human populated areas to look for food. They are most active in the early mornings/dawn periods and will retreat to their "lairs" in the daytime.
If you find or discover a deceased boar, do NOT touch it, report it:
For more information, head to https://www.bmel.de/EN/topics/animals/animal-health/african-swine-fever.html or check out this informative story from Public Health Command Europe: https://www.army.mil/article/278759/african_swine_fever_in_europe_what_to_know#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThere%20is%20absolutely%20no%20reason,infected%20pig%20or%20wild%20boar.
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