scholarly journals African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) in Poland in 2019—Wild Boars: Searching Pattern

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Maciej Frant ◽  
Anna Gal ◽  
Łukasz Bocian ◽  
Anna Ziętek-Barszcz ◽  
Krzysztof Niemczuk ◽  
...  

African swine fever (ASF) was introduced to Poland in 2014. Despite the implementation of preventive actions focused on the reduction of wild boar populations and the introduction of biosecurity rules in domestic pig farms, the disease has been continuously spreading to new areas. The aim of this paper was to analyze the dynamics of ASFV spread in wild boar populations in Poland and to summarize the 2019 epidemiological situation. Using a logistic regression model, it has been shown that there is a significant correlation between the month, ASF affected area and ASF prevalence among wild boars. According to EU definitions, Part II and Part III zones had a total of 3065 (65.2%) ASF-positive death wild boars. In addition, there were 36 post-accident (road-killed) wild boars (2.6%) and 612 hunted animals (1.5%) in this area. These results showed the importance of passive surveillance and its advantages overactive surveillance in ASF control and prevention. The data indicated a greater chance of a positive result in the winter months (January, February, March) than in reference September, where the ASF prevalence was the lowest. This observation confirms the preliminary theory about the seasonality of the disease in wild boar populations and its connection with winter.

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 143-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
MP Frant ◽  
M Lyjak ◽  
L Bocian ◽  
A Barszcz ◽  
K Niemczuk ◽  
...  

African swine fever (ASF) was first described in 1921 in Kenya. The latest epidemic of ASF started in 2007 in Georgia. The virus was introduced to Poland in 2014. Since the beginning of the epidemics, the National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy (NVRI) has been testing wild boar samples from restricted areas and other parts of Poland to conduct passive and active surveillance for ASFV in these groups of animals. The aim of this study was to summarise the last two years of the ASF epidemiological status in Poland and the attempt to find disease patterns in the wild boar population. The period between 2017 and 2018 brought a massive number of new ASF cases in Poland. The number of ASF-positive wild boars jumped from 91 in 2016 to 1 140 in 2017 (approximately a 12 × increase), and 2018 was even worse, with the disease affecting 4 083 animals (2 435 cases; one case could even be 10 animals or more if they are found in one place next to each other). The percentage of positive wild boars found dead (passive surveillance) in the restricted area increased in 2018 to 73.1% from 70.8% in 2017. The chance of obtaining positive results in this group was six times higher in December and 4.5 times higher in January than in August and September. The percentage of positive wild boars detected through active surveillance reached 1.5% in 2018. The data suggested that, not only in Poland, but also in other ASF-affected countries, during the epizootic stage of the disease spread the most important measure is an effective passive surveillance of dead wild boars especially, in the winter season rather than in the summer.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1208
Author(s):  
Jun-Sik Lim ◽  
Timothée Vergne ◽  
Son-Il Pak ◽  
Eutteum Kim

In September 2019, African swine fever (ASF) was reported in South Korea for the first time. Since then, more than 651 ASF cases in wild boars and 14 farm outbreaks have been notified in the country. Despite the efforts to eradicate ASF among wild boar populations, the number of reported ASF-positive wild boar carcasses have increased recently. The purpose of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses to identify the risk factors associated with the presence and number of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses in the affected areas. Because surveillance efforts have substantially increased in early 2020, we divided the study into two periods (2 October 2019 to 19 January 2020, and 19 January to 28 April 2020) based on the number of reported cases and aggregated the number of reported ASF-positive carcasses into a regular grid of hexagons of 3-km diameter. To account for imperfect detection of positive carcasses, we adjusted spatial zero-inflated Poisson regression models to the number of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses per hexagon. During the first study period, proximity to North Korea was identified as the major risk factor for the presence of African swine fever virus. In addition, there were more positive carcasses reported in affected hexagons with high habitat suitability for wild boars, low heat load index (HLI), and high human density. During the second study period, proximity to an ASF-positive carcass reported during the first period was the only significant risk factor for the presence of ASF-positive carcasses. Additionally, low HLI and elevation were associated with an increased number of ASF-positive carcasses reported in the affected hexagons. Although the proportion of ASF-affected hexagons increased from 0.06 (95% credible interval (CrI): 0.05–0.07) to 0.09 (95% CrI: 0.08–0.10), the probability of reporting at least one positive carcass in ASF-affected hexagons increased from 0.49 (95% CrI: 0.41–0.57) to 0.73 (95% CrI: 0.66–0.81) between the two study periods. These results can be used to further advance risk-based surveillance strategies in the Republic of Korea.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (32) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Ndlovu ◽  
A.-L. Williamson ◽  
L. Heath ◽  
O. Carulei

ABSTRACT We report here the genome sequences of three African swine fever virus isolates obtained from a domestic pig (Zaire [Zaire]), a warthog (RSA/W1/1999 [South Africa]), and a European wild boar (RSA/2/2004 [South Africa]) belonging to genotypes IV, XX, and XX, respectively. This report increases the number of genotype XX, wild boar, and warthog reference sequences available.


Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Rodríguez-Bertos ◽  
Estefanía Cadenas-Fernández ◽  
Agustín Rebollada-Merino ◽  
Néstor Porras-González ◽  
Francisco J. Mayoral-Alegre ◽  
...  

African swine fever (ASF) is a notifiable disease that in recent years has spread remarkably in Europe and Asia. Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) plays a key role in the maintenance and spread of the pathogen. Here we examined gross pathology of infection in wild boar with a highly virulent, hemadsorbing genotype II ASF virus (ASFV) strain. To this end, six wild boars were intramuscularly inoculated with the 10 HAD50 Arm07 ASFV strain, and 11 wild boars were allowed to come into direct contact with the inoculated animals. No animals survived the infection. Clinical course, gross pathological findings and viral genome quantification by PCR in tissues did not differ between intramuscularly inoculated or contact-infected animals. Postmortem analysis showed enlargement of liver and spleen; serosanguinous effusion in body cavities; and multiple hemorrhages in lungs, endocardium, brain, kidneys, urinary bladder, pancreas, and alimentary system. These results provide detailed insights into the gross pathology of wild boar infected with a highly virulent genotype II ASFV strain. From a didactic point of view, this detailed clinical course and macroscopic description may be essential for early postmortem detection of outbreaks in wild boar in the field and contribute to disease surveillance and prevention efforts.


2022 ◽  
Vol 77 (04) ◽  
pp. 65146-2022
Author(s):  
MIROSŁAW WELZ ◽  
BARTŁOMIEJ POPCZYK ◽  
KRZYSZTOF NIEMCZUK ◽  
ŁUKASZ BOCIAN ◽  
KRZYSZTOF JAŻDŻEWSKI ◽  
...  

The latest recommendations of the European Commission and the scientific opinions of the EFSA and other bodies define the passive surveillance of ASF in wild boars as a key means of epidemiological surveillance and a basic tool for the eradication of the ASF virus from the natural environment in the areas where this disease occurs, especially in the early stage of its development. The key to eradication is the management of the wild boar population and its reduction to a low and controlled number, so as to diminish the virus pressure in the environment and lessen the risk to pig farms. Wild boar hunting should take place in a planned manner that is adapted to the epizootic situation (as part of centrally managed hunting and sanitary culling). The most intensive hunting should take place in ASF-free areas, with the use of tailored methods and the latest technologies. Periodic hunting moratoria and restrictions on any activity in newly infected zones are necessary. This approach provides for phased eradication of the infectious agent by culling or capturing wild boars, as well as identifying and safely removing their carcasses and remains. When passive ASF surveillance in wild fauna is undertaken, data on the incidence of the disease in wild boars are obtained by the Veterinary Inspectorate without its active participation. The inspectorate is notified of any suspicion or occurrence of the disease, including discoveries of carcasses of animals of susceptible species. Then it acts according to an established plan including clinical examination of suspected or sick animals, anatomopathological examinations and sample collection for laboratory tests. The article describes the use of passive ASF surveillance in wild boars as a tool to prevent, control and combat ASF in Poland.


2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (02) ◽  
pp. 6501-2021
Author(s):  
KAZIMIERZ TARASIUK ◽  
ZYGMUNT GIŻEJEWSKI

Recent years (since 2013) have witnessed an increasing interest in wild boars in Europe because this animal species has become the most important reservoir of the African swine fever virus (ASFV). In all countries affected by ASF since 2013, the virus originated in wild boar populations, and the disease was directly or indirectly transmitted from wild boars to domestic pigs. In Poland, the first known case of ASF was detected in February 2014, and nearly 10 300 cases were reported by the end of April 2020. A correlation was found between the density of wild boar populations and the number of ASF cases. The global population of wild boars has increased considerably, and their natural range has expanded, particularly northward and westward. The mean annual growth rate in the wild boar population in Europe is around 100%. Milder winters and agricultural transformations that involve growing a single crop (in particular, maize) over large areas are the key factors contributing to the increase in the number of wild boars. In the opinion of most experts, recreational hunting is not sufficient to control the expansion of wild boar populations in Europe. Undoubtedly, wild boar populations will continue to be the main reservoir of the ASFV for many years to come, and wild boars will remain the major risk factor for ASF spread in commercial pig herds. Therefore, a new long-term approach to wild boar population management is needed


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Sik Lim ◽  
Timothée Vergne ◽  
Son-Il Pak ◽  
Eutteum Kim

In September 2019, African swine fever (ASF) was reported in South Korea for the first time. Since then, more than 651 ASF cases in wild boars and 14 farm outbreaks have been notified in the country. The purpose of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of ASF and number of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses in the affected areas. To achieve this objective, we divided the study into two periods (October 2, 2019, to January 19, 2020, and January 19 to April 28, 2020) and aggregated the number of reported ASF-positive carcasses into a regular grid of hexagons. To account for imperfect detection, we adjusted spatial zero-inflated Poisson regression models to the number of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses per hexagons. During the first study period, only proximity to North Korea was identified as a risk factor for the presence of African swine fever virus (ASFV). In addition, there were more reports in the affected hexagons with a high habitat suitability for wild boar, low heat load index (HLI), and high human density. During the second study period, proximity to an ASF-positive carcass reported during the first period was the only significant risk factor for the presence of ASF-positive carcasses. Additionally, high HLI and low elevation were associated with an increased number of ASF-positive carcasses reported in the affected hexagons. Although the proportion of ASF-affected hexagons increased from 0.06 (95% credible interval [CrI]: 0.05-0.07) to 0.09 (95% CrI: 0.08-0.10), the probability of reporting ASF-affected hexagons increased substantially from 0.49 (95% CrI: 0.41-0.57) to 0.73 (95% CrI: 0.66-0.81) between the two study periods. These results can be used to further advance risk-based surveillance.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 757
Author(s):  
Sandra Barroso-Arévalo ◽  
Jose A. Barasona ◽  
Estefanía Cadenas-Fernández ◽  
José M. Sánchez-Vizcaíno

African swine fever virus (ASFv) is one of the most challenging pathogens to affect both domestic and wild pigs. The disease has now spread to Europe and Asia, causing great damage to the pig industry. Although no commercial vaccine with which to control the disease is, as yet, available, some potential vaccine candidates have shown good results in terms of protection. However, little is known about the host immune mechanisms underlying that protection, especially in wild boar, which is the main reservoir of the disease in Europe. Here, we study the role played by two cytokines (IL-10 and IFN-γ) in wild boar orally inoculated with the attenuated vaccine candidate Lv17/WB/Rie1 and challenged with a virulent ASFv genotype II isolate. A group of naïve wild boar challenged with the latter isolate was also established as a control group. Our results showed that both cytokines play a key role in protecting the host against the challenge virus. While high levels of IL-10 in serum may trigger an immune system malfunctioning in challenged animals, the provision of stable levels of this cytokine over time may help to control the disease. This, together with high and timely induction of IFN-γ by the vaccine candidate, could help protect animals from fatal outcomes. Further studies should be conducted in order to support these preliminary results and confirm the role of these two cytokines as potential markers of the evolution of ASFV infection.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Jutta Pikalo ◽  
Paul Deutschmann ◽  
Melina Fischer ◽  
Hanna Roszyk ◽  
Martin Beer ◽  
...  

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a hemorrhagic disease in pigs with high socio-economic consequences. To lower the impact of disease incursions, early detection is crucial. In the context of experimental animal trials, we evaluated diagnostic workflows for a high sample throughput in active surveillance, alternative sample matrices for passive surveillance, and lateral flow devices (LFD) for rapid testing. We could demonstrate that EDTA blood is significantly better suited for early ASFV detection than serum. Tissues recommended by the respective diagnostic manuals were in general comparable in their performance, with spleen samples giving best results. Superficial lymph nodes, ear punches, and different blood swabs were also evaluated as potential alternatives. In summary, all matrices yielded positive results at the peak of clinical signs and could be fit for purpose in passive surveillance. However, weaknesses were discovered for some matrices when it comes to the early phase of infection or recovery. The antigen LFD showed variable results with best performance in the clinical phase. The antibody LFD was quite comparable with ELISA systems. Concluding, alternative approaches are feasible but have to be embedded in control strategies selecting test methods and sample materials following a “fit-for-purpose” approach.


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