One year of African swine fever outbreak in China

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) is a major threat to domestic pigs and wild boars. Since 2018, ASF outbreaks have been ongoing in China. As of August 3, 2019, a total of 151 ASF clusters of outbreaks reported in China have caused severe economic losses for the industry, the pig farmers and pork producers, due to the lack of an efficacious vaccine. The present study aims to analyze the epidemiologic characteristics of ASF outbreak that occurred in several regions across China during the period August 2018- August 2019. Particular focus was on the epidemic distribution, main transmission routes, incidence/fatality, impact on pig production capacity, and the main preventive measures adopted to mitigate the risk of ASF spread in pig farming systems by Chinese government. Results show that anthropogenic factors, spatial distribution, efficient measures taken by China,and good response timely in implementation of preventive measures are important on the transmission of ASF and these suggest that effective ASF risk management in China will require a comprehensive and integrated approach linking science and implemented by all relevant stakeholders. This provides an empirical basis to optimize current interventions as well as develop new tools and strategies to reduce the risk transmission of African swine fever virus (ASFV) to domestic pigs and wild boars.