Since ASF was introduced to the EU in 2014, NRW has been preparing for a potential outbreak, although there is currently no vaccine available for the disease.

The NRW Agriculture Ministry has established an ASF coordination group to manage the situation and prevent the virus from spreading to domestic pig populations.

Agriculture Minister Silke Gorißen has warned that an ASF outbreak in NRW was anticipated and stressed the importance of adhering to biosecurity measures.

The virus's presence was confirmed by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut after initial tests indicated a positive result from a dead wild boar discovered by a hunter in Kirchhundem, Olpe district.

On June 14, 2025, African swine fever (ASF) was detected for the first time in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, in a wild boar found in the Sauerland region.

In response to the detection, preventive measures are already in place to contain the spread of ASF, with the government emphasizing the need for immediate action.

The Westphalian-Lippe Agricultural Association has urged farmers to take necessary precautions to protect their livestock, highlighting the serious implications of the ASF finding.

While ASF poses no threat to humans or other domestic animals, it is nearly always fatal to domestic and wild pigs, raising significant concerns among farmers.

Transmission of ASF can occur through direct contact with infected wild boars, as well as through human actions, such as contaminated clothing and discarded food waste.

The discovery of the dead wild boar suggests that ASF may spread into NRW, prompting the public to prepare for potential restrictions in areas around the outbreak site.

Preventive measures include deploying trained search dog teams in the affected area to help contain the virus's spread.

Although this suspected case is currently isolated, authorities are taking proactive steps to prevent any potential spread of the disease in the region.