The emergence and spread of African Swine Fever in Western Europe

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) is the most dangerous viral disease of domestic pigs and wild boars, causing huge economic damage. It is characterized by acute, subacute, chronic course with high (up to 100%) mortality. The causative agent of ASF has been isolated into a separate family Asfarviridae, the genus Asfivirus. The disease is widespread in Africa, Europe, Asia. The purpose of the review article is to analyze the literature data on the occurrence and spread of epizootic foci of African swine fever in Western Europe. The materials of the article are based on the results of numerous epizootological and diagnostic studies by scientists from Spain, Portugal, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Malta, Germany, Sweden.Due to the complex seroimmune structure of the pathogen and the impossibility of forming viral neutralizing antibodies, there are difficulties in creating effective vaccines against ASF. The main tools for preventing the spread of the disease are due to the use of strict quarantine measures. Early diagnosis is an important component of ASF control and eradication.Preventive and liquidation measures for ASF in Western European countries are considered. The recommendations of the OIE/WOAH-OIE on the diagnosis of ASF using a combination of tests are given: determination of the viral genome by PCR in national reference laboratories; detection of viral antigens and antibodies by ELISA or fluorescent test; detection of the pathogen by virus isolation. The explanation of the observed interspecific interaction during the watering of wild boars and free-range domestic pigs is given, which explains the endemicity of ASF on the island of Sardinia in Italy for more than forty years.Given the virulence of the ASF virus and the many ways of transmission throughout Europe, diagnostic and epizootological monitoring of this disease should be a priority in the fight against ASF.