copyright: Aurelien Papa
African swine fever
Following the outbreak of African swine fever in the Olpe district, the Veterinary and Food Inspection Office of the Oberbergischer Kreis is urging increased caution.
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
On 14 June 2025, the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) was confirmed in the district of Olpe. In the municipality of Kirchhundem, a wild boar tested positive for the virus. Further confirmed cases in wild boars have since occurred.
Currently (as of 26 February 2026), there is a first ASF-positive case in the Hochsauerlandkreis near Störmecke, close to Schmallenberg. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), the federal research institute for animal health, has now confirmed the suspected case. The location where the dead piglet was found lies within restricted zone II, which covers parts of the districts of Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein and Hochsauerlandkreis.
ASF is a viral disease that is almost always fatal in pigs. The virus is highly contagious for pigs and can also be spread indirectly - e.g. via vehicles, clothing or food. The disease affects exclusively domestic and wild pigs and poses no danger to humans.
Report dead wild boar!
Anyone who finds a dead wild boar is asked to contact the Veterinary and Food Inspection Office of the Oberbergischer Kreis
Telephone: 02261 88-3903
or the on-call centre of the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety
Telephone: 0201 714488
The securing and examination of the animal will then be initiated.
Pig Keeping in the Oberbergischer Kreis
Every form of pig keeping (including hobby keeping) must be registered with the Veterinary and Food Control Office. This applies to all breeds, including miniature pigs and pot-bellied pigs.
The following biosecurity measures must be observed to protect your own animals
-
Fencing of stable facilities and the storage area for feed and bedding
-
Access only via hygiene locks
-
Limit the movement of people and vehicles on the farm
-
Contact between domestic pigs and wild boars must be prevented!
Disposal of Food Waste
Please make sure to dispose of meat or sausage leftovers only in closed waste containers. Both at home and while out hiking or walking.
If infected meat leftovers are eaten by wild boars, the disease could spread further.
For hunters: Taking samples
Those authorised to hunt must take samples from all dead and killed wild boar. Sampling utensils are provided by the Veterinary and Food Inspection Office. The cost of the examination is covered by the state of NRW. Please note the instructions below.
