African Swine Fever (ASF)

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African swine fever virus (ASF) is a serious, highly contagious, viral disease. Recently, several cases of ASF have been confirmed in numerous Chinese provinces. U.S. swine industry organizations are working continuously on prevention and response to help keep ASF out of U.S. pig farms. ASF cannot be transmitted to humans, so it is not a public health or food safety concern. However, it can spread rapidly in pig populations by direct or indirect contact, and there is currently no vaccine or treatment. That’s why it is essential for the U.S. swine industry to be well informed and well prepared should an ASF outbreak ever reach the United States. This page provides a wealth of ASF resources.

FYI

• African Swine Fever Overview
  In this short (under 7 min.) video, ISU Extension Veterinarian Dr. Chris Rademacher gives an overview of the current status of African Swine Fever and what U.S. producers need to be aware of.
  
• African Swine Fever webinar from Iowa Pork Producers Association
  On September 24, 2018, IPPA hosted a webinar about the status of ASF in China, actions underway by the pork industry and State of Iowa, and practical on-farm preparedness tips. Speakers include Dr. Patrick Webb, Dr. Chris Rademacher, Dr. Liz Wagstrom, Dr. David Schmitt, Dr. Jeff Kaisand, and Jamee Eggers.
  
• Biosecurity workshops offered by Iowa Pork Industry Center
  The recent spread of African Swine Fever in China has elevated the importance of biosecurity measures in reducing the risk of a domestic or foreign animal disease entering farms. Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University Extension swine specialists have developed a no-cost workshop “Biosecurity Best Practices for Pork Producers” that uses a variety of methods to help attendees learn about, develop and prioritize biosecurity practices.
  
• How to recognize ASF on your farm
  Sudden deaths with few lesions could be the first sign of an infection in a group of pigs. Other symptoms include fever, anorexia, lethargy, weakness, and recumbancy. Redness and blotching of the skin may also been seen, especially on ears, tail, legs, and ham. Bloody diarrhea may also occur as well as abortions in pregnant sows. For more detailed clinical signs and post mortem lesions, see the ASF Technical Fact Sheet from the Center for Food Security and Public Health.

• What to do if you suspect ASF is present
  If you suspect your herd may be infected with ASF, contact your veterinarian immediately. If your veterinarian determines your farm is a suspect case, your veterinarian should report the case to a State Animal Health Official. For more details, see the USDA  ASF Disease Response Strategy.

Selected videos

2018 ISU James D. McKean Swine Disease Conference

• Dr. Klaus Depner - African Swine Fever (54:18)
  Dr. Depner from the Institute of Epidemiology in Germany is a world-renowned expert on ASF. In the Roy Schultz Lecture, he describes the contributing factors that have accelerated the movement of ASF across Europe and China, and what lessons can be learned for U.S. producers and veterinarians.
• Dr. Scott Dee - Transboundary Feed Transmission (32:20)
  Dr. Dee from Pipestone Area Research presents his research on the role of feed ingredients in the potential transmission of transboundary diseases. He describes the potential for feed ingredients imported into the U.S to harbor foreign pathogens, and the role of some feed mitigation strategies.
• Dr. Cassandra Jones - Feed Mill Biosecurity (30:45)
  Dr. Jones from Kansas State University presents the latest findings related to feed mill biosecurity. Dr. Jones shares results on how long PEDV can be maintained within a feed mill, pathogen surveillance in feed mills, and feed mitigation strategies for both foreign and domestic pathogens.
• Dr. Amelia Naher - Russian Experience with African Swine Fever (41:37)
  Dr. Naher with Cherkizovo shares her company's on-the-ground experience with cases of ASF. Dr. Naher shares the clinical signs, gross and necropsy lesions, and how ASF virus moves through a farm.

ASF fact sheet - Secure Pork Supply

• English
• Spanish

ASF resources - Center for Food Security and Public Health (ISU)

• Disease summary sheet
• Technical fact sheet (English)
• Technical fact sheet (Spanish)

Kansas State University FAQ on ASFV and CSFV in feed

• While feed and ingredients are not the most likely sources of introduction and transmission, they are a documented vector for disease such as ASF. This FAQ fact sheet has information on ingredients, transmission, feed analysis and possible mitigation.

National Pork Board

• African Swine Fever bulletin
• Focus on feed ingredients to combat ASF threat
  • National Pork Board news release describing potential risks for feed ingredients, and how producers and feed suppliers can work together to mitigate these risks.  
• Foreign animal disease (FAD) preparation
  • FAD resources from the National Pork Board: FAD preparation checklist to help prepare your farm, hosting international visitors, traveling overseas, USDA response strategy, ASF fact sheets and more.
• Foreign animal disease (FAD) preparation checklist (can be previewed and downloaded)

Secure Pork Supply

• Biosecurity resources for producers
  • Implementing enhanced biosecurity plans will help prevent exposing animals to ASF, and other FAD. The resources on this page can help you assess and enhance your biosecurity plan.
• Foreign animal disease (FAD) information
  • Information on African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF) and foot and mouth disease (FMD)
• Planning materials
  • The SPS plan for continuity of business if ASF, CSF or FMD is found in U.S. livestock.
    

Swine Health Information Center (SHIC)

• Declaring Farm Visits in ASF positive countries to customs
  • This newsletter from SHIC details what to declare to US Customs and Border Patrol when returning from an ASF or FAD positive country, what process should follow after declaring animal contact, and how to report your experiences with US Customs and Border Patrol after traveling.
• Emerging disease communications action plan
• Feed ingredient safety fact sheet
  • Questions and information to help producers work with feed suppliers to make decisions and minimize ASF risk from feed ingredients 
• Global disease monitoring reports
  • Up-to-date information on global disease surveillance
• Holding Time Calculations for Feed Ingredients
• U.S. pork response to ASF prevention (info and Q&A)
  • Topics addressed at recent meeting of USDA and FDA with U.S. pork industry groups including testing feed and feed ingredients, imports, and communication.

USDA APHIS ASF Disease Response Strategy

Videos

2018 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference

• Dr. Scott Dee - Risk of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in feed and mitigation strategies (12:54)
• Dr. Chris Oura - African Swine Fever – a real and present global threat (34:21)
• Dr. Patrick Webb - ASF awareness, prevention & response efforts at the national level (25:42)
• Dr. Gustavo Lopez - African Swine Fever (ASF) experiences in a large commercial system (24:48)

2018 ISU McKean Swine Disease Conference

• Dr. Klaus Depner - African Swine Fever (54:18)
• Dr. Scott Dee - Transboundary Feed Transmission (32:20)
• Dr. Cassandra Jones - Feed Mill Biosecurity (30:45)
• Dr. Amelia Naher - Russian Experience with African Swine Fever (41:37)
  

World Health Organization (OIE) overview of ASF and available diagnostic tests