Two years of swine fever in Germany, no end in sight

Two years after the first detection, the African swine fever epidemic continues to ravage pig populations in Hesse, Germany, with no clear end in sight. The state's environmental ministry characterized the ongoing battle against the highly contagious disease as a "marathon, not a sprint," indicating that a swift resolution is unlikely.

Since the outbreak began, thousands of pigs have either been culled, died from the disease, or been shot by hunters. Official figures from the environmental ministry reveal that nearly 7,000 wild boar carcasses have been discovered and examined. Of these, more than 2,300 have tested positive for the African swine fever virus.

The virus is almost invariably fatal for infected pigs. Fortunately, the ministry assures that the virus poses no threat to human health. Despite the significant efforts to contain the spread, the persistence of the disease highlights the challenges in eradicating such animal epidemics, particularly in wild populations.

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The fight against African swine fever is a marathon and not a sprint. A quick end to the disease is therefore not to be expected.