Instant Insights: African swine fever

Description

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on African swine fever.

The first chapter reviews recent research on the causes and epidemiology of African swine fever (ASF). It discusses the causative agent for ASF, its origins in Africa and its subsequent spread into other regions of the world. The chapter focusses on the distribution of genotype I and II strains of ASF and summarises the clinical indicators of the disease, as well as the different cycles involved in transmission and their dynamics.

The second chapter provides an overview of established practices relating to the types and preparation of samples for analysis, as well as current diagnostic tools. The chapter also considers the emergence of diagnostic techniques which go beyond those already established, including the use of alternative sample matrices, pen-side diagnostics and genomic epidemiology.

The third chapter highlights the surveillance tools currently available for the early detection of the presence of ASF, focussing on the use of clinical, serological and virological surveillance methods. The chapter also reviews the biosecurity measures which can be implemented to prevent its spread, including adequate cleaning and disinfection procedures.

The final chapter discusses recent advances in developing a vaccine for ASF in light of the recent outbreaks which have resulted in the culling of millions of pigs, both domestic and wild. The chapter also highlights current disease management practices used to control and limit outbreaks of the disease.

Table of contents

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• Chapter 1 - Advances in understanding the characteristics and epidemiology of African swine fever: Youming Wang and Lu Gao, China Animal Health and Epidemiology Centre (CAHEC), China;
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Distribution of African swine fever
  • 3 Clinical signs and postmortem findings of African swine fever
  • 4 Disease transmission: hosts and transmission cycles
  • 5 Transmission dynamics of African swine fever
  • 6 Conclusion
  • 7 Where to look for further information
  • 8 References
• Chapter 2 - Advances in surveillance and diagnostic techniques for tracking the spread of African swine: Sandra Blome, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health – Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Germany;
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Sample matrices
  • 3 Detection methods
  • 4 Alternative sample matrices
  • 5 Pen-side diagnostics
  • 6 Developments in genomic epidemiology
  • 7 Conclusion
  • 8 References
• Chapter 3 - Risk-based measures for prevention and control of African swine fever (ASF) in pigs: Silvia Bellini, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Italy;
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Surveillance measures
  • 3 Biosecurity measures
  • 4 Cleaning and disinfection measures
  • 5 Conclusion
  • 6 Where to look for further information
  • 7 References
• Chapter 4 - Advances in finding a vaccine for African swine fever: Douglas P. Gladue and Manuel V. Borca, Plum Island Animal Disease Center and Center of Excellence for African Swine Fever Genomics, USA;
  • 1 African swine fever virus proteins induce protective immunity and the development of subunit vaccines
  • 2 Live-attenuated vaccines naturally attenuated and cell culture passed field isolates
  • 3 Live-attenuated vaccines Initial identification of genetic determinants of virulence in African swine fever virus
  • 4 Case study: development of an African swine fever virus vaccine for the new emerging strain African swine fever virus Georgia
  • 5 Other advances in African swine fever virus discovery of determinants of virulence
  • 6 Conclusion
  • 7 Future trends in research
  • 8 Where to look for further information
  • 9 References