What is ASF virus?

What is ASF virus?

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. In its acute form the disease generally results in high mortality. ASF is a different disease to swine flu. The virus does not affect people and there is no impact on human health.

What is African swine fever ASF and how it is a global threat?

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating haemorrhagic fever of pigs with mortality rates approaching 100 per cent. It causes major economic losses, threatens food security and limits pig production in affected countries. ASF is caused by a large DNA virus, African swine fever virus (ASFV).

What is swine fever in pigs?

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease of swine. Infected pigs develop fever, hemorrhages, lethargy, yellowish diarrhea, vomiting, and a purple skin discoloration of the ears, lower abdomen, and legs. Neurologic signs, reproductive failures, and abortion may also be observed.

What is African swine fever and how does it spread?

African swine fever is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and feral (wild) pigs in all age groups. ASF is not a threat to human health and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans. ASF is spread by contact with infected animals’ body fluids.

How long does ASF last?

ASF virus, in a suitable protein environment, is stable over a wide temperature and pH range. It has been shown to survive in serum at room temperature for 18 months, in refrigerated blood for 6 years, and in blood at 37°C for a month. Heating at 60°C for 30 minutes will inactivate the virus.

Can a pig survive ASF?

pigs that survive ASF infection may become carriers, although their role in transmitting the virus after about a month is uncertain; their tissues nevertheless remain infective for a period after active shedding has ceased; there is no vaccine available for ASF.

Why African swine fever is endemic?

African swine fever is endemic in sub-Saharan countries and the mortality rates can reach up to 100\% [2]. African swine fever is caused by ASF virus (ASFV), a DNA arbovirus belonging to the Asfivirus genus and a sole member of the Asfarviridae family [3].

What do you think is the implication or effect of African swine fever to the swine population and to the economy of our country?

The disease is known for its economic impact on smallholders and emerging commercial farmers. It negatively affects the livelihoods of numerous poor households that depend on pigs as a source of protein and income, as means to capitalise savings, and as ‘safety nets’ during times of hardship.

How do you fight ASF?

If an outbreak occurs, the disease will initially have to be controlled using zoosanitary measures:

1. Culling animals on infected farms, followed by cleaning and disinfection.
2. Tracing possible contact farms, followed by quarantine or preventive culling.
3. Tightening biosecurity measures.
4. Transport ban on pigs and pork products.

How fast does ASF spread?

African Swine Fever is highly contagious and infection spreads rapidly through a unit, with clinical signs of fever beginning 4-5 days after infection and causing fever followed by dullness, breathing difficulty, vomiting, coughing, nasal and ocular discharge, abortion in pregnant sows, cyanosis of the extremities and …

What are the signs of ASF?

Vigilance is also crucial to disease prevention and USDA wants all veterinarians and producers to recognize the signs and symptoms of ASF:

• High fever.
• Decreased appetite and weakness.
• Red/blotchy skin lesions.
• Diarrhea, vomiting.
• Coughing.
• Difficulty breathing.

How long does African swine fever last?

Clinical signs Acute forms of ASF are characterised by high fever, depression, anorexia and loss of appetite, haemorrhages in the skin (redness of skin on ears, abdomen and legs), abortion in pregnant sows, cyanosis, vomiting, diarrhoea and death within 6-13 days (or up to 20 days).