US and Vietnam collaborate to better understand and control ASF

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) remains intent on learning everything possible about African swine fever (ASF) management and control. These lessons will be valuable if ASF enters the US and are part of SHIC's preparedness mission.

One research proposal being conducted in Vietnam is the study the use of oral fluids for early detection of AFS. This method represents a pen-based, non-invasive alternative for testing requiring significantly lower financial and human resources than other methods.

Another project is to determine the time and temperature for complete inactivation of the African swine fever (ASF) virus, and is funded using proceeds from a $1.7 million USDA grant. The research will simulate the sanitation protocols currently used to disinfect aluminum surfaces of animal trailers under three conditions:

• Scrape off organic material and bake at three temperatures for 15 minutes
• Scrape off organic material, wash the surface with water followed by baking at three temperatures for 15 minutes
• Scrape off organic material, wash the surface with water, spray disinfectant, followed by baking at three temperatures for 15 minutes

Knowing ASF virus inactivation efficacy will better prepare producers for implementing sound biosecurity protocols should the disease reach the US.