African Swine Fever (ASF)
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African swine fever virus (ASF) is a serious, highly contagious, viral disease. Since August 2018, ASF has been rapidly spreading throughout China. 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.
Critical information for producers
- African Swine Fever and U.S. preparedness. Presentation by ISU Extension Veterinarian Dr. Chris Rademacher at 2019 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences.
- New Kansas State University research demonstrates the infectious dose for African Swine Fever is extremely small for both feed and water.
Read the report on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- African Swine Fever Overview
In this short (under 7 min.) video, ISU Extension Veterinarian Dr. Chris Rademacher gives an overview of the current s tatus of African Swine Fever and what U.S. producers need to be aware of.
- African Swine Fever Roundtable: Industry structure, culture, wild boars team up to intensify ASF threat in China
Roundtable discussion by Iowa State extension swine veterinarian Dr. Chris Rademacher, and Carthage Veteriary Clinic colleagues Dr. Clayton Johnson and Dr. Neal Benjamin, provided by Pig Health Today and sponsored by Zoetis. Topics are ASF reporting in China, types of feed used in China hog operations, protecting the U.S. swine herd, and the importance of learning from the past to plan for future safety concerns. Print and audio versions available. - 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 be seen, especially on ears, tail, legs, and ham. Bloody diarrhea may occur, as well as abortions in pregnant sows. For more detailed clinical signs and postmortem 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. - Frequently asked questions on ASF 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 from Kansas State University has information on ingredients, transmission, feed analysis and possible mitigation. - ASF fact sheet - Secure Pork Supply
- National Pork Board – ASF: What Producers Need to Know
Foreign Animal Disease (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. - Secure Pork Supply plan
The SPS plan for continuity of business if ASF, CSF or FMD is found in U.S. livestock.
- 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 included Dr. Patrick Webb, Dr. Chris Rademacher, Dr. Liz Wagstrom, Dr. David Schmitt, Dr. Jeff Kaisand, and Jamee Eggers.
Additional ASF Resources
Click on the headings below to view more videos, articles, and fact sheets about ASF.
ASF general information:
Videos detailing first-hand experience with ASF in Europe and Russia, technical fact sheets, global disease monitoring reports and more.
- 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. From the 2018 ISU James D. McKean Swine Disease Conference. - 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. From the 2018 ISU James D. McKean Swine Disease Conference. - Dr. Chris Oura - African Swine Fever - a real and present global threat (34:21)
Presentation by Dr. Chris Oura at the 2018 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. - Technical fact sheets from Center for Food Security and Public Health (ISU)
English
Spanish - Swine Health Information Center disease monitoring reports
Global monitoring reports
Domestic monitoring reports - World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) overview of ASF and available diagnostic tests
Biosecurity
- Biosecurity resources for producers from Secure Pork Supply.
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. - Declaring Farm Visits in ASF positive countries to customs.
This newsletter from Swine Health Information Center 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.
Feed ingredient biosecurity
- 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. From the 2018 ISU James D. McKean Swine Disease Conference. - 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. From the 2018 ISU James D. McKean Swine Disease Conference. - Dr. Scott Dee - Risk of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in feed and mitigation strategies (12:54).
Presentation from the 2018 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. - 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. - 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. - Feed ingredient safety fact sheet from Swine Health Information Center.
Questions and information to help producers work with feed suppliers to make decisions and minimize ASF risk from feed ingredients - Holding time calculations for feed ingredients from Swine Health Information Center
Foreign animal disease preparation resources
- Foreign animal disease (FAD) preparation checklist from National Pork Board
- Foreign animal disease (FAD) information from Secure Pork Supply
Information on African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF) and foot and mouth disease (FMD) - Secure Pork Supply Planning materials
The SPS plan for continuity of business if ASF, CSF or FMD is found in U.S. livestock.
U.S. pork industry response to ASF
- U.S. pork response to ASF prevention (info and Q&A from Swine Health Information Center)
Topics addressed at a meeting of USDA and FDA with U.S. pork industry groups including testing feed and feed ingredients, imports, and communication. - Dr. Patrick Webb - ASF awareness, prevention & response efforts at the national level (25:42)
Presentation from the 2018 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference - Emerging disease communications action plan from Swine Health Information Center
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