African swine fever (ASF)

News

8 Sep ANICE assesses the impact of ASF on Spanish pork exports

2 Sep Finland reaches 35 ASF cases in wild boar

31 Jul Finland confirms its first-ever ASF case

7 Jul How ASF evolved in Europe in the first half of 2026

22 May ASF outbreaks increase in pigs and wild boar across the EU

31 Mar FAO supports Ivory Coast in fight against African swine fever

Description

African swine fever is caused by an iridovirus. There are different strains with different virulence. Its clinical condition is quite similar to that of classical swine fever and many common diseases, such as salmonella, therefore a laboratory diagnosis is required. Its control involves the stamping-out. As of classical swine fever, these viruses survive for a long time in frozen carcasses.

Symptoms

Lactating piglets

Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Lack of coordination.
Conjunctivitis.
High fever.
Sudden death.
Malformations.
Very weak piglets at birth (congenital tremor).

Sows

Loss of appetite.
High fever.
Abortions.
Increment of stillbirths.
Increment of mummified piglets.
Seizures.
Lack of coordination.
Diarrhea.
General reproductive failure.
Blue discoloration of the skin.

Nursery and fattening

Depressed pigs - with their head down.
They stop eating.
Diarrhea.
Eye discharge.
Persistent high fever.
Nervous signs.
Seizures.
Lack of coordination.
Blue discoloration of the skin.
High mortality.

Causes / Contributing Factors

The virus is transmitted from infected or carrier pigs through nasal and mouth discharges, urine and feces. It is very contagious.
The virus can be transmitted by ticks (especially of the genus Ornithodorus)
There is airborne transmission.
It can enter a farm through contaminated meat (can be transmitted through uncooked pork meat or cured meat).
Mechanical transmission is common through boots, clothing, trucks, etc.
Co-infection with PRRS virus.

Diagnosis

It presents post-mortem changes with hemorrhagic lymph nodes, necrotic areas in the spleen, multiple small hemorrhages in kidneys and button ulcers in the intestine.
In all suspected cases the diagnosis should be confirmed by laboratory analysis.
Laboratory analysis include the identification of viral antigen, isolation of the virus and the presence of antibodies in serum. In most countries, the ASF is a notifiable disease.

Control/Prevention

Currently, no effective vaccines available.
Stamping-out.
Countries free of ASF prevent infection from abroad controlling the importation of pigs and pig meat products, if not properly processed, if them come from countries with ASF. In addition, the organic fraction of waste that may contain meat products must be sterilized by heat.
In Africa and affected areas: they must keep wild boars and materials contaminated away from producing farms.

Recommendations for the prevention of african swine fever in at-risk countries II

D. Beltrán-Alcrudo

In this second part the actions described are the ones needed when the disease is already in the country.

African Swine Fever clinical presentation in the field

What is the cause of this disease in the field recently? Not always following the textbook description… Global swine professionals with field experience answer this and many other questions.

Health Article

Laboratory diagnostics: African swine fever

A. Ramirez

What laboratory diagnostic methods can I use to diagnose African swine fever? Which one should I choose according to the situation? How do I interpret the results?

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African Swine Fever: Global swine professionals share experiences of this old-new friend

A group of swine professionals will describe their field experience and perspective gained while fighting against African Swine Fever.

Health Article

Clinical case: ASF on a Chinese pig farm

S. McOrist

This clinical case describes how, after discovering large numbers of dead and dying pigs in the sheds over a 4-day period, an expert team of veterinarians diagnosed African Swine Fever.