What is Going on with African Swine Fever? By: Dr. Jim Lowe, Production Animal Consultation, and Dr. Ben Blair, University of Illinois
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frican Swine Fever (ASF) is a viral disease of swine that is endemic to Africa and subsequently was introduced into Europe and Asia in the last 10 years. The current ASF epidemics in Europe and Asia appear to be a result of a single ASF introduction into Georgia in 2007. ASF has spread outside of wild boars and into farmed pig populations. African Swine Fever is a highly contagious, rapidly spreading, fatal disease of pigs of all ages and breeds. It was first described in 1921 and contained in Africa until 1957 (Manso Ribeiro et al. 1958). ASF is an untreatable disease and would have large economic im pli cations on the swine industry if the disease was to break in a country or region and, therefore, is of utmost importance. pacdvms.com
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