What is the full form of ASF

ASF: African Swine Fever

ASF stands for African Swine Fever; ASF is a problem regarding DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic acid) in the Asfarviridae species. It is the main agent for the global spread of ASF (African Swine Fever), the ASF virus causes some unusual activities among pigs, and the death rate of ASF is very high among both domestic and wild pigs.

In ASF, the death of a pig is estimated to happen within a week of infection; if the owner wants to protect the rest of the domestic pigs from being infected by the other pig, then the only way is to isolate that infected pig or kill him. When this virus affected the pigs in India in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and a few other regions in India, the year, 2020 Central Government passed an order to kill all the infected pigs and protect those who were not infected. This virus does not affect Human beings.

Prevention of ASF in the Absence of a Vaccine

When ASF was discovered, no vaccine or medical treatment was available for the treatment. Then the countries of the region where the ASF virus was not spread among the pigs have to impose strict import facilities and have to follow strict biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus among other pigs; also, the supply of infected live pigs and pork food was completely banned in the areas where ASF virus is not spread.

Also, there was proper checking and disposal of the waste from the ships and aircraft from infected countries. Also, many countries' governments impose strict rules regarding the complete ban on supplying pigs and pork products from infected countries.

Safety Measures to Prevent the Spread of African Swine Fever Virus

1. By detecting the ASF-infected pigs, isolate them and kill them to prevent the virus from spreading.
2. The ASF Infected pigs were cleaned and disinfected in their early stage of infection.
3. The Infected region was sealed completely, and the movement of the pork products and other supplies was banned until the condition in their region was maintained. Pigs' mortality rate is under control.
4. The government of many countries imposes strict biosecurity norms and measures in the countries.

Presence of ASF Virus in Africa

In 2005 this virus was first observed in Africa, and later on, the virus was observed in 32 others as per the report submitted by World Animal Health.

Presence of ASF Virus in East Europe

The ASF virus was later confirmed in the Caucasus region of Georgia in the year 2007; from East Europe, the virus started spreading across the neighboring countries and affected the pigs and the wild boar of the countries like Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Presence of ASF Virus in Europe

The ASF virus was found in the year 2014; many European countries recorded confirmed cases of ASF virus, and these cases were found in 16 different countries but later on 2 European countries somehow managed to eradicate the virus from their countries by imposing strict import checking and killing the infected pigs and wild boar.

Presence of ASF virus in Asia

The first case of the ASF virus was recorded in 2018 in China. The ASF virus spread throughout 16 countries in Asia and India; this virus comes from the outskirts of China and infected wild boar and many domestic pigs in India in the year 2021.

Symptoms of ASF (African Swine Fever) Virus

The domestic pigs and wild boar which are infected by this virus usually have the following symptoms

• It is observed that pigs usually suffering from the ASF virus have a high fever.
• It is observed that the infected pigs have decreased appetite and weakness.
• Coughing was also observed among the infected pigs.
• The pigs infected by the ASF virus usually have difficulty breathing.
• Diarrhea and vomiting were also observed among the infected pigs.

ASF is a Global Threat

• ASF is the main threat in some European countries where rearing pigs is the family income source. Due to ASF, their economic situation is affected adversely.
• Pork meat is the main source of protein in many countries, and due to ASF, their daily meal is also affected, which hits food security worldwide. Moreover, no medical treatment or vaccine is available for treating ASF.
• ASF is a problem of great concern in Infront of the world because it affects not only the farm pigs but also the domestic farmed pigs and wild boar, including their native breeds.

The vaccine for ASF

Vietnam successfully made the world's first vaccine against ASF on June 1, 2022; a vaccine is in the developmental stage against Georgia isolate 2007, which aims to lessen or delete the viral 177L gene.

Evolution of ASF

• ASF is estimated as the developed stage of the soft tick virus, which usually affects or infects the wild swine and other wild animals.
• Among these wild hosts, it was found that the infection is generally asymptomatic.
• This virus was supposed to be evolved in 1700 AD.

Historical Facts Regarding ASF

The ASF first came to Africa, and it was also when the first positive case of HIV AIDS was found. Other countries have started finding connections between HIV and ASF, but in The Lancet report of 1986, it was made clear that there is no connection between these two viruses.