How to face an outbreak of African swine fever in wild boar?

Researchers from the Health and Biotechnology Research Group (SaBio) of the Hunting Resources Research Institute (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), in collaboration with 10 recognized international experts in the field, have carried out a literature review and provided reflections to summarize the current knowledge on the management and control of African swine fever (ASF) virus in wild boar.

The following conclusions were drawn from the 468 documents reviewed and the expert consultation:

• ASF in wild boar has only been stopped in very localized outbreaks (i.e. an early detection of the outbreak affecting a limited area of land),
• on the other hand, it has never been possible to stop an ASF outbreak affecting large epidemic fronts.

The most effective tools for controlling ASF are:

• searching for and destroying infected animal carcasses,
• population control in areas close to infected zones, and
• perimeter fencing when the virus affects small areas.

The search for and destruction of ASF virus-infected animal carcasses is one of the most effective measures for controlling the disease.

In situations such as Spain's, where the virus has not yet arrived, better knowledge about the wild boar populations (abundance, health status, etc.), efforts to optimize early detection and logistical preparation in tools and protocols (e.g. search and destruction of carcasses) are the best strategies to be prepared for the appearance of an outbreak of ASF in wild boar.