For the time being, the protection zones around the infected company have no influence in the Netherlands, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture said. The pig farm is just across the border near Enschede (map: see below). The province of Overijssel is also keeping an eye on the case, the ministry reports.
It is the first time that swine fever has been diagnosed in Lower Saxony, the regional Ministry of Agriculture reports. “Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before the swine fever also reached Lower Saxony. This is a hard, emotional blow to pig farmers in our state,” said German state minister Barbara Otte-Kinast.
1500 piglets
280 adult pigs and 1500 piglets are kept on the affected farm. All animals will be killed tomorrow.
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The NVWA is investigating how the transports went, to see whether Dutch pig farmers are also at risk. Pig farmers are urged to remain extra alert themselves.
Not dangerous for humans
African swine fever is a viral infection in pigs that is almost always fatal and incurable. There is no vaccine that can protect the animals preventively. The disease can be transmitted from animal to animal or via contaminated surfaces. Both domestic pigs and wild boars can become infected and sick. African swine fever is not contagious or dangerous to humans.
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