African swine fever (ASF)

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Description

African swine fever is caused by an Asfivirus. 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 with classical swine fever, these viruses survive for a long time in frozen carcasses.

Lactating piglets

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

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.

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 within short distances.
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 increase severity of disease.

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 virus via PCR, isolation of the virus and the presence of antibodies in serum. In most countries, the ASF is a notifiable disease.

More info on lab diagnostics

This disease continues to spread outside Africa especially recently in parts of eastern Europe.
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 they 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 pig farms.

Four years of ASF in Italy: Lessons learned and outlook

Almost four years after the first case of African swine fever was detected in Italy, the epidemic continues to pose a complex challenge for the country's health and wildlife management. Since January 2022, the virus has appeared in four distinct geographical areas. These were independent introductions of certain anthropogenic origin, occurring at different times and environmental contexts.

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Ten years of ASF in Poland: what have we learnt?

For several reasons, Poland has not managed to control ASF in wild boars and pigs. What measures has this country implemented during these 10 years and why were they insufficient?

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HealthArticle

ASF - What we can learn from Sardinia?

Pig333 interviewed Prof. Pulina of the University of Sassari who has been involved in eradicating African swine fever in Sardinia. ASF arrived on the island in 1978 through contaminated pork products. After many years of struggle, the virus has now been eradicated.

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Photo 2. Hemorrhage and necrosis in gastrohepatic lymph node.

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ASF diagnostics - More than reading a lab result

PCR results are diagnostic test results, not a diagnosis. The diagnostician is an investigator and should employ all of the tools at his command. An expert with experience in China reviews how ASF should be diagnosed.

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Photo 1. Taking samples in case of suspected ASF. Photo courtesy of Dr. Nadezhda Konovalova.

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Laboratory diagnostics: African swine fever

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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Picture from an infected pig 14 days after detection of disease. Severe haemorraghic lesions across the body.

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Are we ready to recognize African Swine Fever in the field?

Depending on the virulence of the strain and the route of exposure, the disease may have four different presentations and early detection can be a challenge due to the lack of specific clinical signs.

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World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) (2026) – WAHIS periodical extraction of early warning outbreak data. Retrieved on 1/19/2026. Data extracted by 333 Corporate 1998, SL. WOAH bears no responsibility for the integrity or accuracy of the data contained herein, not limited to: any deletion, manipulation, or reformatting of data that may have occurred beyond its control.