POV fears corn harvest due to African swine fever

The dutch producers' organization pig farming (POV) calls on owners of corn fields to pay close attention during the corn harvest. The reason is that wild boars are often found in corn fields, which are frequently contaminated with African swine fever (ASF) and move around uncontrolled during the harvest. Therefore, the POV advises to control these animals first.

The danger of an ASF infection has existed for years and the risks are not decreasing. There have been no infections in the Netherlands yet, but the risks are higher just across the border. According to the German Friedrich Löffler Institute, almost half of all 996 animal disease cases currently involve ASF infections. As of September 11, there were 467 cases.

The majority of cases are in the state of Brandenburg, but many cases are also reported in Hessen. There have also been cases reported in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is quite close to the Dutch border.
Bluetongue is the second animal disease in Germany, accounting for over 28% of cases.