African swine fever – A review of current knowledge

Blome, Sandra; Franzke, Kati; Beer, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198099

Cited by 262 publications

(296 citation statements)

References 124 publications

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“…Over the past decade, the disease has gone pandemic and has reached not only the world's largest pig producer [26] but also several other countries with considerable pig production in both Asia and Europe. An additional layer of complexity is added through the involvement of wildlife with wild boar as a reservoir in several European countries [27]. Surveillance activities in pig-dense areas can mean tremendous sample numbers and optimization of diagnostic workflows is of utmost importance to direct human and financial resources in a senseful manner, especially in times of other pandemic diseases of high significance that also demand diagnostic resources.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

et al. 2021

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African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a hemorrhagic disease in pigs with high socio-economic consequences. To lower the impact of disease incursions, early detection is crucial. In the context of experimental animal trials, we evaluated diagnostic workflows for a high sample throughput in active surveillance, alternative sample matrices for passive surveillance, and lateral flow devices (LFD) for rapid testing. We could demonstrate that EDTA blood is significantly better suited for early ASFV detection than serum. Tissues recommended by the respective diagnostic manuals were in general comparable in their performance, with spleen samples giving best results. Superficial lymph nodes, ear punches, and different blood swabs were also evaluated as potential alternatives. In summary, all matrices yielded positive results at the peak of clinical signs and could be fit for purpose in passive surveillance. However, weaknesses were discovered for some matrices when it comes to the early phase of infection or recovery. The antigen LFD showed variable results with best performance in the clinical phase. The antibody LFD was quite comparable with ELISA systems. Concluding, alternative approaches are feasible but have to be embedded in control strategies selecting test methods and sample materials following a “fit-for-purpose” approach.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

et al. 2021

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“…For instance, a connection between wolf extirpation, which led to a coyote (Canis latrans) expansion that caused a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) decline that ultimately favored abundance of small mammals, may help explain the incidence of Lyme disease, i.e., changes in predator communities may trigger down in trophic cascades and reflect on many ecological issues, including human health [138]. In Eurasia, African swine fever has spread dramatically over the last decade, affecting wild boar (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs and causing a very high economic impact [139]. Where this fever is diagnosed, a reduction of the wild boar population is recommended to stop its spread, but management of wild boars via hunting in Europe seems to be difficult and wolves have not yet returned to many areas where wild boars thrive [140].…”

Section: Behavioral Responses Of Large Carnivores To Human Disturbancmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Human Disturbance on Terrestrial Apex Predators

et al. 2021

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The effects of human disturbance spread over virtually all ecosystems and ecological communities on Earth. In this review, we focus on the effects of human disturbance on terrestrial apex predators. We summarize their ecological role in nature and how they respond to different sources of human disturbance. Apex predators control their prey and smaller predators numerically and via behavioral changes to avoid predation risk, which in turn can affect lower trophic levels. Crucially, reducing population numbers and triggering behavioral responses are also the effects that human disturbance causes to apex predators, which may in turn influence their ecological role. Some populations continue to be at the brink of extinction, but others are partially recovering former ranges, via natural recolonization and through reintroductions. Carnivore recovery is both good news for conservation and a challenge for management, particularly when recovery occurs in human-dominated landscapes. Therefore, we conclude by discussing several management considerations that, adapted to local contexts, may favor the recovery of apex predator populations and their ecological functions in nature.

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“…ASF epidemics also represent a public health issue because they disrupt the value chain and access to international markets, limiting food access to the population in affected regions and trade partners (1)(2)(3)(4). Control measures for ASF are based on biosecurity measures as neither a licensed vaccine nor any treatments are currently available (5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk for African Swine Fever Introduction Into Kazakhstan

et al. 2021

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African swine fever (ASF) is a disease of swine that is endemic to some African countries and that has rapidly spread since 2007 through many regions of Asia and Europe, becoming endemic in some areas of those continents. Since there is neither vaccine nor treatment for ASF, prevention is an important action to avoid the economic losses that this disease can impose on a country. Although the Republic of Kazakhstan has remained free from the disease, some of its neighbors have become ASF-infected, raising concerns about the potential introduction of the disease into the country. Here, we have identified clusters of districts in Kazakhstan at highest risk for ASF introduction. Questionnaires were administered, and districts were visited to collect and document, for the first time, at the district level, the distribution of swine operations and population in Kazakhstan. A snowball sampling approach was used to identify ASF experts worldwide, and a conjoint analysis model was used to elicit their opinion in relation to the extent at which relevant epidemiological factors influence the risk for ASF introduction into disease-free regions. The resulting model was validated using data from the Russian Federation and Mongolia. Finally, the validated model was used to rank and categorize Kazakhstani districts in terms of the risk for serving as the point of entry for ASF into the country, and clusters of districts at highest risk of introduction were identified using the normal model of the spatial scan statistic. Results here will help to allocate resources for surveillance and prevention activities aimed at early detecting a hypothetical ASF introduction into Kazakhstan, ultimately helping to protect the sanitary status of the country.

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African swine fever – A review of current knowledge

Cited by 262 publications

References 124 publications

African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

Effects of Human Disturbance on Terrestrial Apex Predators

Risk for African Swine Fever Introduction Into Kazakhstan

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