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On March 31, 2026, African swine fever (ASF) virus was detected in a wild boar found dead in the Königshainer Berge area. The animal was a male estimated to be no more than two years old. The national reference laboratory for animal diseases at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) confirmed the result obtained by the Saxon State Investigation Office.
It is currently being assessed whether this represents a new introduction of the virus. The regional animal disease control center of the Saxon Regional Directorate has resumed its activity, and the first emergency measures have already been implemented. These include the deployment of carcass detection dog teams and drones to intensify the search for dead wild fauna.
In addition, the dismantling of fencing within a 10 km radius around the detection site, in the district of Görlitz, has been halted. Authorities are currently assessing whether new fencing needs to be installed and the extent of the required perimeter.
The Saxon Federal State had been considered ASF-free since February 5th, 2026, marking one year since the last case. Following this the European Commission authorized, at the request of Saxony, the lifting of restriction zones.
April 2nd, 2026 / Saxon State Ministry for Social Affairs, Health and Social Cohesion / Germany.
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