Remote Sensing Provides a Rapid Epidemiological Context for the Control of African Swine Fever in Germany

Abstract

Transboundary disease control, as for African swine fever (ASF), requires rapid understanding of the locally relevant potential risk factors. Here, we show how satellite remote sensing can be applied to the field of animal disease control by providing an epidemiological context for the implementation of measures against the occurrence of ASF in Germany. We find that remotely sensed observations are of the greatest value at a lower jurisdictional level, particularly in support of wild boar carcass search efforts.

Automated Detection and Counting of Wild Boar in Camera Trap Images

“…There seems to be a close link between ASF in domestic pig holdings and wild boar abundance and population dynamics [12,13]. In particular, the density of the local wild boar population is considered crucial in the spread of ASF [14] and is used alongside other factors, such as satellite data, for ASF risk assessment [15]. Morelle et al [16] used camera trap data to study wild boar density and abundance following an ASF outbreak in Poland.…”