December 10, 2024

 

US researchers tackle feral swine and tick-borne ASF risks

The rising population of feral swine across Texas and the US is creating favourable conditions for disease-carrying ticks, increasing the risk of an African swine fever virus (ASFV) outbreak.

 

To prevent the spread of this devastating disease into Texas and the southern US, a multi-institutional research initiative led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research will study the capacity of the Ornithodoros turicata tick, a southern species, to transmit ASFV.

 

The project, valued at nearly US$1.5 million, is supported by the US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate through Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defence, a DHS Centre of Excellence within AgriLife Research.

 

The research aims to address critical knowledge gaps about tick transmission of ASFV in the US and develop solutions to keep Texas and neighbouring states free from the disease.

 

"These ticks are found in several southern states, including Texas," explained Dr Meriam Saleh, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the project's principal investigator.

 

"Laboratory studies using a subspecies of these ticks from Florida have demonstrated a strong ability to transmit ASFV to swine. Our goal is to determine if Texas ticks share this capability," she added.

 

Dr Dee Ellis, a veterinarian with AgriLife Research, and Dr Scott Kenney of Ohio State University, join Saleh as co-principal investigators.

 

The research will focus on studying the biology and transmissibility of various ASFV strains and genotypes in ticks and evaluate the capacity of other species to host or spread ASFV in the US.

 

In Texas, challenges include the presence of potential tick vectors, the expanding feral swine population, extensive suitable habitats for ticks and feral swine, commercial swine operations, and proximity to the US-Mexico border.

 

An outbreak of ASFV in the US would have severe consequences. According to the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, it could lead to a 50% drop in swine prices, a halt in pork exports, and significant job losses due to mass culling.

 

In Texas, feral swine outnumber domestic swine by at least 3-to-1, as reported by the Texas Pork Producers Association.

 

Adult ticks, capable of living for years between feedings, add to the risk. Some Ornithodoros tick species in North America have demonstrated ASFV transmission to swine in laboratory settings.

 

"Staying ahead of ASFV requires leading-edge discoveries and innovation," said Dr Heather Manley Lillibridge, executive director of Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense. "Collaborative efforts across institutions provide the resources and expertise necessary for continued progress."

 

-      National Hog Farme