African Swine Fever Facts
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a serious, highly contagious virus affecting pigs and is a reportable Foreign
Animal Disease (FAD). ASF can spread rapidly in pig populations by direct or indirect contact. It occurs among
pigs and wild boars, transmitted by ticks and direct contact between animals and can persist for long periods of
time in uncooked pork products. There is no vaccine or treatment available and acute infections in naïve pigs
can result in up to 100% mortality. The virus can infect pigs, but not show clinical signs of disease for up to 21
days. ASF does not affect humans and therefore does not pose a food safety risk.
There have been a number of outbreaks of ASF reported in China in recent months, but also in Russia and
some European countries including Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic and most recently, Belgium. As the
number of pigs affected by ASF increases the risk of virus introduction into North America also increases.
A research project recently completed by Dr. Scott Dee studied virus transmission in feed ingredients. This
research used a model that simulated cross Atlantic and Pacific shipments and found that several viruses
including ASF were able to survive this trip in common swine feed ingredients including soybean meal, lysine
and Vitamin D as well as in pork sausage casing. Other possible routes of ASF transmission include people and
animals that travel to countries where ASF has been detected and that come into contact with swine. Also,
transmission of ASF can occur with illegally imported meat products that could be fed to swine.
ASF Clinical Signs
• fever (40.5-42 degrees C)
• loss of appetite
• lethargy
• abortion in pregnant sows
• skin hemorrhages
• vomiting and diarrhea
• sudden death/high mortality
ASF can initially mimic several other diseases commonly seen on swine
farms in Ontario such as Erysipelas, PRRS, Influenza A, and Circovirus
type 2 infections.
Producers should monitor pigs daily for clinical signs associated with ASF and
report abnormalities seen to a veterinarian immediately.
If clinical signs are seen:
STOP: Movement on and off farm.
CALL: Your herd veterinarian and CFIA district office.
WAIT: While awaiting CFIA and veterinary help, do not leave the premises.
Prevention
> When you or farm staff have visited other countries DO NOT bring back any meat products into Canada
(this is illegal). Do not feed swine any human food waste. Wash all clothing and footwear upon return.
> Limit barn entry and ensure that farm staff and visitors have not had contact with swine in other
countries where ASF infections have been detected BEFORE you allow them entry into your swine
herd. Ensure that all visitors and staff understand how to correctly abide by on-farm biosecurity such as
barn entry protocols and required downtime.
> Keep a daily log of all human and vehicle traffic entering all production sites.
> Ensure you and your staff have biosecurity training and are aware of the clinical signs associated with
ASF.
> Talk to your feed supplier about feed ingredient sourcing and what they are doing to mitigate risks.
Preparation
> Obtain a Premises Identification (PID) for each production site and ensure that all PIDs are geo-located
to the site where the pigs are housed. This is the site’s unique identifier and is important to link
diagnostic samples to a site and to accurately map sites in the case of a disease investigation.
> Record all pig movements through AgManifest/PigTrace, recording movements between production
sites as well as to slaughter or assembly.
> Use the Ontario Pork On-Farm Emergency Response Planning Guide to help you develop an
emergency response plan for your farm including:
- farm site map and animal inventory
- a written welfare plan for stop movements due to a regulatory disease
- a written euthanasia/depopulation plan for emergency circumstances
- a written carcass disposal plan for mortalities in an emergency
- a list of contact information important for your farm
Early Detection and Response
> Observe pigs daily, use of production records to record observations can assist in identifying unusual
trends and may be requested in the case of a disease investigation.
> Contact your herd veterinarian immediately if you see any clinical signs in pigs on your farm that could
be associated with ASF infection.
> Do not move animals showing suspicious clinical signs until inspected by a veterinarian. Never move,
sell or send to livestock auctions/yards sick or compromised pigs from your farm.
> If ASF is suspected, implement a self-quarantine (stopping all movements) on all animals, feed and
equipment until you know the cause of the illness.
Source : SHO