ASF African Swine Fever

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a dynamically developing infectious sepsis viral disease to which domestic pigs and wild boars are susceptible. The very rapid course of the disease makes pigs fall, even those in the best condition. Diseases of pigs and wild boars are not treated and there are also no vaccines against ASF, therefore the control of the virus is currently carried out only by administrative methods: by slaughtering and disposing of infected animals. Pig herds infected with the ASF virus are liquidated in their entirety. People are not susceptible to infection with the ASF virus in connection with this disease does not pose a threat to their health and life. The ASF virus is resistant to high and low temperatures, cooking, freezing, smoking, drying and putrefactive processes. Infectious properties in blood, feces, raw tissues, undercooked pork or wild boar products - it retains for up to 3 to 6 months and in frozen meat up to 1000 days.

How is the virus transmitted and what are the symptoms?

The ASF virus is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected animals. African Swine Fever easily spreads between farms through people and vehicles visiting the farm, as well as through contaminated equipment and tools, animals with free access to the farm such as rodents, cats or dogs. Swine viral disease is also transmitted through contaminated feed, water and through the feeding of animals with waste containing unprocessed contaminated meat. The first symptom of ASF virus infection is swine fever up to 41-42 °C persisting for about 3-4 days. Another symptom is a drop in temperature below normal and the appearance of other symptoms of rapid severity, namely: sudden and numerous deaths of pigs, cyanosis of the skin of the ears, abdomen and sides of the body, redness of the skin visible especially at the ends of the ears, tail and limbs, foamy discharge from the nose, shortness of breath, diarrhea, vomiting and paresis of the croup. These symptoms usually occur 24 hours before the death of the animal.

What is the procedure when ASF is detected in a pigsty?

A breeder who has noticed symptoms that may indicate an infectious disease ASF among pigs is obliged to immediately report to the District Veterinarian or through the veterinarian caring for the farm or a local government body (head of the commune or mayor). Until the arrival of the veterinarian, the animal keeper shall be obliged to isolate and guard all animals present on the holding.

If an outbreak of ASF is detected by the Veterinarian, actions are taken under the supervision of the Veterinary Inspection:

• all pigs on the holding must be slaughtered and disposed of;
• any products that may have been contaminated with the ASF virus and cannot be decontaminated, e.g. manure, feedingstuffs, all objects and substances, are also subject to disposal;
• the farm is subject to cleaning and disinfection with appropriate preparations to inactivate the ASF virus;
• at least 40 days from the date of completion of purification and disinfection it will be possible to insert a new pig production;

Compensation for producers found to have ASF

Pig producers who have experienced an outbreak of ASF may receive compensation for losses incurred in connection with the activities of the Veterinary Inspection - for slaughtered and disposed of pigs and for damaged feed or equipment. The condition for the payment of compensation is to meet veterinary requirements and requirements for the identification and registration of animals. On the ARMA website you can get information about subsidies from the state budget regarding the disposal of fallen stock and a list of rendering plants conducting the activity in question.

Current situation in Poland

In connection with the occurrence of ASF in Poland, areas subject to various restrictions and controls have been designated:

• ASF risk area - where there are cases in feral pigs as well as outbreaks of ASF in pigs .
• restricted area - where there are cases of ASF in feral pigs
• protection area - is a zone of increased risk, where there are no cases or outbreaks of ASF

Each new outbreak of ASF 2020 and a new case of a wild boar suffering from ASF can be tracked on the ASF map updated by the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate. Around the outbreak of ASF, an infected area is designated - 3 km around the outbreak and the surveillance zone - an additional 7 km from the protection zone. In these areas, the health of pigs is supervised, there are appropriate orders, prohibitions and restrictions on the movement and sale of pigs. Products from the holding, in particular meat, carrion, animal feed, water, litter or manure, may not be removed and disposed of. Outsiders must be prevented from having access to the premises of the holding.

Ways to fight ASF

Biosecurity is the fight against ASF by preventing the ingress of the disease into healthy herds on farms. It consists m.in the use of disinfectants (e.g. virucidal preparation Virkon S), securing farms with an appropriate fence (e.g. fence nets, ), using disinfection mats in the entrances to livestock buildings. It is necessary to limit the access of outsiders to animals, to control the entry of outsiders, to ensure that people who have to enter the pigsty - change footwear and clothing and use protective clothing. An important factor is also the elimination of rodents with deratization agents and preventing them from entering the interior of the pigsty by using nets in window, door, ventilation openings and by conducting periodic disinsection. It is also necessary to protect the pigsty from pets and keep the pigs in a closed system. In order to effectively prevent infection with the ASF virus, it is recommended to install gates for disinfection of means of transport entering the farm (e.g. feed suppliers, livestock recipients). Do not feed animals with feed of unknown origin and animal products. Care should be taken to ensure that people working in the pigsty do not come into contact with other pig herds. More about this in the article ""