African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease Remain Active Globally

Finland's first detection of ASF in wild boar, the re-emergence in Vietnam of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype A and the detection of Classical Swine Fever in Japan highlight SHIC's August global swine disease monitoring report. As Part of its August eNewsletter the Swine Health Information Center has released its August swine health monitoring reports.Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease remain active globally.

Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center:

African Swine Fever continues to have increased activity across the globe, including in Europe, Asia and Africa and this includes the first detection of African Swine Fever in Finland in wild boar. African Swine Fever virus transmission is multifactorial and transmission by wild boar continues to present a significant challenge for the halt or decreased spread within Europe and in other countries.

This does remind us that wild boar do move and are a significant factor when we assess the various mechanisms for them to be infected and then also potentially spread that virus into domestic pig populations.Foot and mouth disease, specifically serotype A, was identified in Vietnam after an eight-year absence.

Serotype A was detected when they had been dealing with serotype O previously.The vaccine strategies also need to be reassessed with the different virus detected and concerns were raised that potential livestock movements within the country may have precipitated that outbreak.Classical Swine Fever was detected in Japan, and also in this particular report are updates on the pseudorabies status in the United States, as well as an overall update of New World Screwworm.

Dr. Becton says the dismantling of a ring in Vietnam that moved more than 250 tons of ASF-infected pork to market also reminds us that the illegal movement of meat or pork products remains a consistent risk factor for ASF spread.SHIC's swine disease monitoring reports can be accessed at swinehealth.org
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