Due to staffing responsibilities at the Delaware State Fair, the Poultry and Animal Health Section will not conduct fecal sample analysis until July 30, 2024. Contact your local veterinarian for their testing protocol in the interim. More Info
While the United States has never had a case of African Swine Fever (ASF), the growing number of diagnosed cases occurring in Asia, parts of the European Union, and the recent detection of ASF in the Dominican Republic have raised concern for our domestic pork industry. The highly contagious nature of this virus is very threatening and there is currently no vaccine. Swine producers need to be aware of signs of ASF, communicate with their veterinarians, and increase biosecurity to protect their herds. Even a farm with just a few pigs could become infected and spread the virus to other farms in Delaware. The ASF virus does not pose a threat to human health or food safety.
What are the signs of ASF in pigs?
Clinical signs of ASF vary widely but often include high fever, decreased appetite, weakness, and unwillingness to stand. The skin may be blotchy, reddened, or have blackened lesions. Pigs may exhibit discharge around the eyes. Infected pigs may exhibit diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Pregnant sows may abort, have stillbirths, or weakened litters. Photos of pigs affected with ASF.
High mortality in a herd is the most significant sign that warrants a call to a veterinarian. Death generally occurs 7 days to 10 days after the disease is first noted; however, sudden death can occur in newly exposed herds. Animals that recover can carry and shed the virus for several months.
If your veterinarian suspects ASF, they will notify the Delaware Department of Agriculture so we can visit your farm to collect samples for testing.
What to do if you suspect ASF in your herd?
If you notice illness or death in your herd that cannot be easily explained, it is very important that you notify your veterinarian immediately. If you don’t have a veterinarian, call the Delaware Department of Agriculture for contact information for a local veterinarian, at 302-698-4500 (during business hours) or 302-233-1480 (after-hours emergency number). Because the signs of ASF are similar to many diseases in pigs, it may not be possible to determine if a pig has ASF just by looking at it. A laboratory test needs to be performed to confirm whether your animals have been infected with ASF.
Keep in mind that the signs of ASF can be similar to other more common diseases – so if you have any doubt about your herd’s health, please reach out to us at the Department using the numbers listed above.
How is ASF spread?
The virus is easily spread between pigs by direct contact or indirectly from contact with contaminated objects. Research shows the virus can survive in the environment, on shoes, clothing, vehicles, and in feed components. Uncooked or undercooked meat, including refrigerated and frozen products, can carry the virus, making garbage feeding and smuggled food items a major threat. Feeding garbage to pigs is illegal in Delaware. Certain species of ticks can spread the virus, while flies and other bloodsucking insects, such as mosquitoes and biting flies, may be able to spread the virus.
What to do if you suspect ASF on your farm
You must immediately contact your veterinarian or call DDA at 302-698-4500 during business hours or use our after-hours emergency number at 302-233-1480.
Biosecurity involves all the steps that your farm takes to keep your animals safe and disease-free and protect your fellow producers in the area. Maintaining a high level of on-farm biosecurity is the best protection. Everyone on the farm needs to understand what your farm’s biosecurity plan involves and follow it at all times to reduce the chance of disease entering your farm or spreading on/off your farm.
Examples of service groups that should not cross into your pig area because they visit multiple farms and could bring disease in on their vehicles, include:
Farmworkers, veterinarians, extension agents, buyers, electricians, plumbers, etc. that must cross the line of separation, need to follow these rules:
African Swine Fever Fast Facts (Center for Food Security and Public Health)
African Swine Fever: What You Need to Know (National Pork Board)
USDA African Swine Fever Webpage
African Swine Fever: Don’t Spread this Deadly Disease (English)
African Swine Fever: Don’t Spread this Deadly Disease (Spanish)
African Swine Fever: Know the Signs and Symptoms (English)
African Swine Fever: Know the Signs and Symptoms (Spanish)
Producers and Employees: How to Protect Your Herd (Center for Food Security and Public Health)
International Travel Biosecurity (National Pork Board)
Hosting International Visitors on Your Farm (National Pork Board)
African Swine Fever: Technical Factsheet (Center for Food Security and Public Health)
Related Topics: African Swine Fever, animal health advisory, ASF, disease, pigs, Resources, SECD, swine, swine enteric coronavirus diseases