What is African swine fever (ASF)?

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a severe, highly contagious, and incurable viral infection that affects only domestic and wild pigs and almost always leads to the death of infected pigs. There is currently no way to protect pigs through preventive vaccination. There is no danger to humans. ASF is not transmissible to humans—neither through the consumption of pork nor through direct contact with animals. ASF is also harmless to domestic and farm animals other than pigs.

What happened, and what measures has the city taken?

A wild boar was found south of Rüsselsheim near a country road in June 2024. It tested positive for ASF. A corresponding result from the Hesse State Laboratory was confirmed on Saturday, June 15, by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health. A restricted zone was established around the site of the discovery within a radius of approximately 15 kilometers. Part of the city of Wiesbaden also lies within this zone. A second outbreak in the Rheingau-Taunus district in December 2024 further exacerbated the situation. The city of Wiesbaden has therefore taken measures. An intensive search for wild boar carcasses was conducted using drones and dogs. In addition, numerous permanent fences were erected to prevent the spread of the wild boar population into disease-free areas. With the support of Wiesbaden’s hunting community, an intensive wild boar hunt was carried out. 

The current new general orders dated May 7, 2026, took these measures into account, and the restricted zones can be partially downgraded due to the successful control of the animal disease. Thus, after nearly two years, Wiesbaden finally has restriction-free areas again in the northern part of the city. Restricted Zones I and II have shifted southward.

Dogs in Wiesbaden are also benefiting from the new regulations. The leash requirement previously imposed due to African swine fever no longer applies in the Schiersteiner Aue area.

In addition, regulations for agriculture that had been in place have since been significantly relaxed. A collection point for dead wild boars has been set up at Mainzer Straße 166 in Wiesbaden. An overview of all measures can be found in the general decrees.