October 24, 2019

New tools being developed in the US to study and detect African swine fever

US$535,780 has been awarded to research teams at Kansas State University and Iowa State University to study and detect African swine fever (ASF).

The investment was provided by The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), the National Pork Board (NPB), Cargill, Kemin, Purina Animal Nutrition and Kansas State University.

The Kansas State University study will find out how ASF survives and infects other animals in diverse environments. The university will also develop tests to detect ASF, including the creation of a diagnostic test to quickly assess entire herds for ASF.

Researchers at Iowa State University are focusing on how to best identify foreign animal diseases at low incidences in large commercial pens using oral fluid samples. This test allows farmers to tie a rope in the pen that pigs naturally chew on. The rope will then be tested to detect for traces of ASF and other viruses.

The grant was given in light of the spread of ASF in Asia and parts of Europe, with concerns that ASF could enter North America in the future. The US produces 125 million pigs annually.

There are no vaccines or treatment for swine infected with ASF. The only way to contain the spread of ASF is by containing and culling ASF swine.

ASF has no impact on humans so pork remains safe for consumption. However, ASF threatens the US$20 billion swine industry and 550,000 swine-related jobs in the US.

David Newman, president of the NPB said this research could help us create better techniques for controlling the spread of this costly virus and reduce the odds of a domestic outbreak.

Sally Rockey, executive director for FFAR said this research might be the key to reducing any potential spread of ASF and create solutions for pork producers to detect and manage infected animals in the event ASF reaches the US.