The Sub-Saharan Crisis that altered the course of Animal Health

1907 was a time period when the African region was going through a major economic crisis. The territories were shrinking and amid that in the Kenyan region, a certain kind of fever erupted among domestic pigs which ended in deaths. From there a continuous endemic took hold of the African region and finally in 1917, the illness had spread wide to Portugal and across certain areas of Europe.

Right when the endemic started its devastation on a wider level, it was found that a certain virus was responsible for such high mortality rates. The virus was identical to the ordinary swine fever virus and because of the region of its origin, it was named as African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV).

What’s African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV)?

The African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) belongs to the Asfarviridae family of virulent. The virus itself is a double-stranded DNA virus which replicates itself in the host and becomes the leading cause of hemorrhagic fevers in pigs and wild boars.

Because of its virulent nature, the virus directly attacks the cells of its host and weakens the immunity which results in a neural hemorrhage in the host. The virus has a protective sheath so it usually prevails in regions where there is an intense climate like desert areas. The virus originally evolved from the soft ticks which were found in the sub-Saharan regions, so it’s also considered a soft-tick virus which becomes aggressive in domesticated pigs.

Transmission

The virus exists in the soft ticks found in the sub-Saharan regions. It infects the soft ticks with no-disease symptoms, so they act as the primary vectors for the disease. In regions, where warthogs and domestic pigs are domesticated, soft ticks’ infestation is a common problem which impacts the entire herd. In case of infestation from the infected soft ticks, the symptoms start appearing in the secondary hosts quickly.

Symptoms of the African Swine Fever

The symptoms of the disease vary according to the nature of the infection contracted by the host. Apparently, there are two different states of the infection which have varying symptoms.

1. Mild Infection

 In this kind of infection, the virus is not very aggressive and the host recovers after a few weeks. Classical symptoms are:

● Weight loss

● Lethargy

● Pneumonia

● Low-grade Fever

● Subtle Ulceration

● Joint Pain and Swelling

2. Acute Infection

This type of infection is severe and ends up at the hemorrhage where the symptoms develop gradually in the early phases of the virus replication and then intensify by the end. Its symptoms are:

● High fever (particularly in the very early phase of infection)

● Loss of Appetite

● Hypothermia

● Anorexia

● Extreme Coughing

● Abnormal breathing

● Hemorrhage and ulcerations on the abdomen and ears

If this virus enters into the bloodstream of the newly born piglets, they develop tremors and intense hemorrhage which leads to death.

How to Diagnose?

There are three methods which are usually trusted for the diagnosis of the virus in the bloodstream.

1. The ASFV Antibody Test

This type of test is performed in order to find out the concentration of the antibodies of ASFV in the bloodstream of the infected host. For this purpose, a blood sample of the infected host is taken and a reliable test kit is used for the indication of the antibodies. Once the test is performed, the kit efficiently indicates the antibodies by bounding with the labelled antigens of ASFV.

2. The PCR Test

The purpose of this test is to recognize the pattern of virulent replication in the host’s bloodstream. A swab is used to collect the sample and later on, the lab assesses the rate of the replication, thereby indicating the presence of the virus.

3. Blood/serum testing

This kind of test is simply performed with the help of either the blood or the serum of the infected host. The virulent concentration and the white blood cells are then compared to interpret the overall rate of spread in the host.

Most affected Hosts

The virus primarily makes wild boards, warthogs, bush pigs and domestic pigs its victim. It can be present in the unborn piglets if the bloodstream of the pregnant mother contains the virulent.

Treatment against African Swine Fever Virus

Presently, there is no effective treatment to combat the disease at all. There are some measures which are prescribed by veterinarians to minimize the rate of infection.

1. Isolate the infected pig from the herd immediately as soon as the symptoms of fever appear.

2. Provide warm environments and active proteins to the infected pigs in order to minimize the impact of hypothermia.

3. Clean the open wounds and ulcerations of the infected pigs so that they don’t contact any other skin or bacterial infection.

Prevention against African Swine Fever Virus

The key to controlling the ASFV lies in the prevention of the disease. The farmers must ensure the following things:

1. Do not let your herds come in contact with herds of other farms. Always keep control over it.

2. Always make sure that the surroundings of your farm are clean and ticks-free because the chief vector is a tick, always check for the infestation of ticks in your herd.

3. Do not let your pigs touch spoiled food or meat which is rotten.

4. Be careful about purchasing any animal or meat products from areas where the endemic persists on a wider level.

5. Always wipe off your boots and clothes before dealing with the pigs at your farm because the virus can survive on these surfaces.

Though the disease is itself incurable. However, the prevention is in your hands and with that, you can control the spread of this deadly virus.