Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly infectious and fatal haemorrhagic disease of pigs that is caused by a complex DNA virus of the genus Asfivirus and Asfarviridae African suids family. The disease is among the most devastating pig diseases worldwide including Africa. Although the disease was first reported in the 19th century, it has continued to spread in Africa and other parts of the world. Globally, the rising demand for pork and concomitant increase in transboundary movements of pigs and pork products is likely to increase the risk of transmission and spread of ASF and pose a major challenge to the pig industry. Different genotypes of the ASF virus (ASFV) with varying virulence have been associated with different outbreaks in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and worldwide, and understanding genotype circulation will be important for ASF prevention and control strategies. ASFV genotypes unique to Africa have also been reported in SSA. This review briefly recounts the biology, genomics and genotyping of ASFV and provides an account of the different genotypes circulating in SSA. The review also highlights prevention, control and progress on vaccine development and identifies gaps in knowledge of ASFV genotype circulation in SSA that need to be addressed.
Highlights
African swine fever (ASF) was initially detected in Kenya a century ago as the cause of high fatality in domestic pigs, Sus scrofa domesticus [1]
All of the known 24 different ASF virus (ASFV) genotypes have been established in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and an updated literature on the genotypes circulating in SSA is still needed
Additional information on pigs and pig diseases was retrieved from The Pig Site, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), World Animal Health Information system (WAHIS), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Global African Swine Fever Research Alliance (GARA)
Summary
African swine fever (ASF) was initially detected in Kenya a century ago as the cause of high fatality in domestic pigs, Sus scrofa domesticus [1]. Africanus) and ticks that parasitise them (Ornithodoros moubata spp.) have been identified as carriers of the virus, making them possible reservoirs [5] that can promote the prolonged existence in an area forpossible over five years [6].[5]. The prestified as carriersofofthe theinfection virus, making them reservoirs that can promote the ence of ASFV in ticks for at least four years in unoccupied domestic pig premises in Madprolonged existence of the infection in an area for over five years [6]. The present review briefly revisits the biology, genomics and genotyping of ASFV and provides an account of the different genotypes circulating in SSA. Information assembled in this work may help identify the predominant genotypes in SSA and promote ASF research and control in the region
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