Swine fever in Sauerland: The local populace and visiting tourists remain unfazed
In the picturesque region of Sauerland, Germany, local authorities are working tirelessly to manage and control the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), despite a seemingly relaxed attitude among locals and tourists.
According to Jürgen Fischbach, the managing director of Sauerland Tourism based in Schmallenberg, the number of overnight stays in the region has not decreased, and surprisingly, has even seen an increase. This trend is a testament to the region's popularity for winter sports and hiking.
Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the authorities are taking no chances. They have designated the affected area as a "Sperrzone" (restricted zone) II, following coordination between the veterinary authorities of Hochsauerlandkreis, Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein, the NRW State Animal Disease Control Centre (LaTiKo) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
A 15 km radius restriction zone was established around outbreak sites, primarily covering parts of Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein, and Hochsauerlandkreis. On top of that, a 10 km buffer zone (restricted zone I) was created to facilitate more intensive control measures. Inside these zones, stringent measures are applied, including restrictions on pig transport, a ban on outdoor pig keeping, a hunting ban, and leash obligations for dogs to prevent contact with potentially infected wild boar.
The authorities are actively coordinating for the search, sampling, removal, and proper disposal of dead wild boars, involving crisis teams and expert support from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute. Public events like the FALKE Rothaarsteig-Marathon have been canceled to prevent the potential spread due to human and animal movement in the area.
However, there is a noted relaxed attitude among locals and tourists, which increases the risk of virus spread. The authorities are compensating by strict enforcement and public awareness campaigns, although detailed information on public compliance efforts is less explicit in the sources.
On a sunny day in Grafschaft, Henny Verwaaijen (67 years old) and his partner Janine Artz (no age mentioned) were walking undeterred by the African Swine Fever. "I'm not worried," said Henny, a visitor from the Netherlands. The Hochsauerlandkreis continues to welcome tourists like the Verwaaijens, who come to enjoy the region's natural beauty, oblivious to the restrictions and management efforts behind the scenes.
As of 17.07.2025, 17:57, the disease has also spread to Siegen-Wittgenstein, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between authorities and the public.
[1] "African Swine Fever in Germany: Current Situation and Measures Taken." Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft. 15 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
[2] "African Swine Fever in Germany: Wild Boar Management." Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft. 15 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
[3] "African Swine Fever in Germany: Legal Basis and Restrictions." Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft. 15 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
[4] "FALKE Rothaarsteig-Marathon Cancelled Due to African Swine Fever." Sauerland Tourism. 10 July 2025. Web. 17 July 2025.
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