Germany: Extension of restricted zones to Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate
As part of the measures to combat African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar populations, new restricted zones have been established in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. The trigger for these official measures in both states is the outbreak of ASF in the Siegen-Wittgenstein district of North Rhine-Westphalia. Several positive cases were detected in the Kreuztal and Netphen areas at the beginning of May. The North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection (MLV) subsequently announced the expansion of the existing restricted zones. Following this, the neighboring districts of Altenkirchen in Rhineland-Palatinate and Lahn-Dill in Hesse also applied to the EU for the establishment of ASF restricted zones.
Lahn-Dill district: Division into restricted zones I and II
As the Lahn-Dill district has announced, following coordination with the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment and confirmation by the EU on May 22, 2026, parts of the northern Lahn-Dill district were classified as restricted zones I and II with immediate effect. Restricted zone II (infected zone) encompasses the directly affected area around the site where the virus was discovered in North Rhine-Westphalia and extends into the Lahn-Dill district. The adjacent restricted zone I serves as a buffer zone. Details of the specific areas affected and the protective measures in place can be found on the Lahn-Dill district website.
Altenkirchen district: Restricted zone I as a precautionary measure
The current outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has now reached within 12 kilometers of the district border of Altenkirchen in Rhineland-Palatinate. The district has therefore announced that, following approval by the EU Commission, a general order has been issued, effective since May 22, 2026. The newly established Restricted Zone I covers a corridor approximately seven kilometers wide along the border with North Rhine-Westphalia and, according to District Administrator Dr. Peter Enders, serves purely as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease. Simultaneously, a new ASF protective fence is being constructed, stretching from Wildenburger Land to Stegskopf.
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