Unexpected ASF Outbreak in Germany Likely Linked to Italy, Says FLI

A surprising twist has emerged in the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak among wild boar in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany. According to a recent report from PigProgress, the virus detected in this western German state appears to be genetically linked to Italy. Meanwhile, three additional suspect wild boar carcasses have been discovered in the area.

This significant finding was announced this week by Germany’s Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), the national reference laboratory. In a press release, FLI stated:

“As part of the virological examination of blood and tissue samples from wild boar in the ASF outbreak in North Rhine-Westphalia, FLI was able to determine the complete genome sequence.

A direct comparison with previously sequenced ASF viruses in Germany shows that the variant in NRW differs significantly from both the known cases in western Germany (Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg) and from those in the eastern federal states (Saxony, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania).”

According to FLI, the closest match to the variant found in NRW comes from southern Italy:

“An international comparison with published genomic data reveals a high degree of similarity with ASF viruses from the Calabria region of Italy. These Italian variants exhibit specific mutations that have also been identified in the new variant found in NRW, clearly distinguishing them from all previously known ASF viruses.”

A New Introduction — Not Migration

This discovery implies that the recent ASF outbreak in NRW was not caused by the migration of infected wild boar from other parts of Germany, but rather represents a new and isolated introduction of the virus.

In Calabria, located in the far south of Italy, ASF has so far been confirmed in 17 wild boar and 6 small farms. In total, 559 pigs died or were culled as a result of the outbreak in 2023.

According to German agricultural publication Top Agrar, three more suspect wild boar carcasses were discovered this week near the site where the first five infected animals had been found. Testing is underway to determine whether these animals also carry the ASF virus.

(Photo: Freepik)