Development of African Swine Fever in Poland

Elżbieta Jadwiga Szymańska,Mariusz Dziwulaki

doi:10.3390/agriculture12010119

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) is a major problem in the production of live pigs in many EU countries. The aim of this research is to identify the causes and effects of this disease in Poland. The study used data from various institutions in Poland and from the EU Animal Diseases Information System (ADIS). Within the range of causes for ASF development, we considered the transmission of the ASF virus by wild boars and human activity. The article presents the number and distribution of ASF cases in wild boars, and the outbreaks of ASF in domestic pigs, in the years 2014–2020. The relationship between these variables was determined with a rectilinear regression analysis. The analysis of data for poviats where ASF cases in wild boards and ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs have been reported shows a certain periodicity of ASF occurrence in the country. This research shows that, despite the actions taken by veterinary services, hunting associations and the involvement of state administration bodies, the disease spreads rapidly. The occurrence of ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs concerns both small and large scale farms. However, due to the fragmented nature of pig farming in Poland, ASF is more prevalent in smaller holdings. Among the main reasons for the development of this disease in the country are the insufficient bio-insurance coverage of pig holdings, and the presence of the virus in the wild boar population. The process of ridding the country of the ASF virus is long and costly.

Highlights

African swine fever (ASF) is an important disease, mainly because of its significant sanitary and socioeconomic consequences [1]
In the Caucasus, in the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Romania, the disease mainly affects domestic pigs, with fewer ASF cases in wild boars; In the European Union, more than 90% of ASF cases concern wild boars, and ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs are less common on pig farms; In China, the disease spreads rapidly within the domestic pig population
ASF is more prevalent in smaller holdings, but taking into account the scale of pig farming, the ASF virus brings more losses to large farms with herds of more than 1000 pigs

Summary

Introduction

African swine fever (ASF) is an important disease, mainly because of its significant sanitary and socioeconomic consequences [1]. ASF is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV) which is a member of the Asfarviridae family. This virus is non-infectious for humans but lethal for both wild boars and domestic pigs. The ASFV infection may progress in an acute, chronic or persistent form [2]. The disease shows variable clinical signs, with high cases of fatality rates, up to 100%, in the acute forms [3]. No vaccine or specific treatment is currently available for ASF.

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