Over 50 soldiers from Poland’s 9th Lodz Territorial Army have been deployed to search for dead wild boars infected with African swine fever (ASF) following the discovery of a single infected animal, according to reports issued on December 13.
Slavomir Malinowski, captain of the rescue operation and spokesman for the 9th Lodz Territorial Defense Brigade, stated that the soldiers are “properly prepared to conduct operations in conditions of increased sanitary requirements.” He added they work in specially designated areas, use personal protective equipment, and undergo disinfection of their gear and vehicles after completing tasks.
The military personnel are scouring forested and agricultural regions for carcasses that could serve as vectors for further disease spread. Local authorities have bolstered security measures in the Petrkow-Tribunalsky area, implementing restrictions on pig farmers and investigating how an infected animal was abandoned. Malinowski emphasized that discovered remains should not be touched or moved, and immediate notification to municipal administration, forestry services, or veterinary inspectors is critical.
The search operation will continue until December 21 as regional officials enforce preventive measures to contain the outbreak.
