Investigation into the transmission of African swine fever virus via feed and pork products

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly lethal viral disease affecting domestic pigs, while remaining asymptomatic in its natural reservoir hosts. The disease poses a substantial threat to the swine industry globally, with high mortality rates and significant economic implications, exacerbated by the lack of an effective vaccine. ASF is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), a DNA virus with notable resistance to environmental factors, contributing to its persistence and complex transmission pathways. Transmission occurs both directly, through contact between infected and healthy animals, and indirectly, via contaminated carcasses, feed, or surfaces. This review highlights key aspects of ASF epidemiology, including the virus's environmental resilience and its ability to survive in feed and animal products under certain conditions. Research emphasizes the effectiveness of industrial processing methods such as pelletization, extrusion, and spray-drying in inactivating ASFV in feed materials. However, potential risks remain from direct contamination in areas inhabited by wild boars or due to improper waste management.