North Rhine-Westphalia expands African swine fever zones after new wild boar deaths

The agriculture ministry of North Rhine‑Westphalia (NRW) has enlarged the African swine fever (ASF) restriction zones I and II following the discovery of several dead wild boars that tested positive for the virus near Grissenbach. Four carcasses were found in the Siegen‑Wittgenstein district, prompting the extension of the zones to include parts of Olpe and Hochsauerlandkreis. Authorities are conducting intensive searches for additional carcasses and have urged walkers, hunters and forest visitors not to handle any dead animals, directing them to report finds to the local veterinary office. The measures aim to contain the spread of ASF beyond the area first designated last summer.