Kreis pulls drastic interim balance - animal protection, agriculture and hunting massively affected
A year after the first confirmed case of the African swine plague (ASP) in the Groß-Gerau district, the district administration draws a dramatic interim balance. At a press conference on Friday, representatives of administration, hunting, forestry and agriculture emphasized: The animal disease is far from over - despite massive countermeasures.
The first ASP proof in the district took place on June 15, 2024, after a sick wild boar in Rüsselsheim had been tested positively. "That was not an exercise," emphasized official veterinarian Dr. Katrin Stein . At this point, however, the plague had spread unnoticed in the district.
Balance after twelve months: numbers and measures
Since then, a large -scale depotation of epidemics has been running, coordinated by the veterinary office and supported by agriculture, hunting, forestry and disaster protection. The first district deputy Adil Oyan spoke of one of the biggest challenges the circle has ever mastered:
- 1474 rehearsals in wild boar, including 601 positive
- Over 3500 domestic pigs killed in eight companies
- 42 General orders , 40 staff sessions , around 3000 harvests
- 22,000 hectares , many several times
that game protection fences , drone inserts , carcass test dogs and close cooperation have been slowed down.
Wild boars as the main carrier - cause unclear
The exact cause of the entry in domestic pig content is still unclear. Dr. Stein: "We only know that the virus probably comes from Southeast Europe." Wild boars are highly infectious and die painful - high fever, bleeding and cramps are typical symptoms.
Since March 2025, the district itself has carried out the operations for carpentry attempts and recovery. 2000 hours of operation were carried out by fire, DRK and administration only in the champions of affected stocks.
Hunting, forestry, agriculture and volunteering required
Markus Stifter from the Hesse State Hunting Association praised the hunting company, which actively contributed to the fight against disease by intensive hunting. In April and May 2025, 460 wild boars were killed - almost as many as the number of animals died by ASP.
Forestry head Klaus ViLSEN emphasized that forestry work was massively restricted. The fence building, cargo overturning and closing through is additional tasks that bind the capacities.
Farmer Selina Müller from the Starkenburg regional farmers' association spoke of a "disaster" for pig farmers. Standing in an area that actually does not know a standstill - with dramatic economic consequences. "The companies need perspectives," she said.
Groß-Gerau district: The focus remains
Despite all the measures, the threat remains. The district and its partners rely on continued close cooperation and at the same time demand political support at the state and federal level. Combating the ASP will also be a central component of crisis management in southern Hesse in the coming months.
(Gross-Gerau-Red/PSGG)
Contribution picture: For a year in crisis mode: The district of Groß-Gerau accounted for the consequences of the African swine plague at a press conference. The picture shows from the left: Patrick Fülling (Chairman of the district hunter association), Klaus Velbecker (Hessen Forst), Dr. Katrin Stein (veterinary doctor Groß-Gerau), Adil Oyan (first district member), Selina Müller (Managing Director Regional Farmers' Association Starkenburg) and Markus Stifter (State Hunting Association Hesse). Photo: district administration
