Highlights

Symptoms/Transmission/Diagnosis

• ASF is a highly contagious virus that can affect any pig
• Symptoms usually become noticeable 5-15 days after infection, which can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, coughing/laboured breathing, red/blue blotches on skin (often around ears and snout), reproductive failures (e.g., miscarriage, abortions, weak litters)
• The virus spreads through direct and indirect contact with affected pigs or by vectors (people, equipment, pork products, etc.)
  • The virus can remain infectious for extended periods of time in the environment, on clothes/vehicles and on carcasses and pork products
  • The virus is not airborne
• Speak to your veterinarian if you have concerns as its symptoms are similar to other diseases; as a reportable disease, CFIA will be involved in the final diagnosis

Mortality/Recovery

• ASF has a high mortality rate with low chances of recovery; infected animals typically die within the first 10 days

Prevention/Vaccination/Treatment

• There is no treatment or vaccine for ASF
• Ensure biosecurity protocols are in place and followed at all times
• Never bring pork products back from affected regions
• Never feed any food/lunch scraps to pigs
• Depopulation, cleaning and disinfection of affected facilities will occur under reportable disease conditions

Risk to Human Health/Food Safety?

• This disease is only infectious to swine and poses no threat to humans
• While not a food safety risk to humans, the virus can survive in pork products
  • Pork products (particularly from affected regions) should never be taken on farm where they may contact live pigs

Federally Reportable?

YES