Kansas State Researcher: Swine Fever Spreading Through Feed

MANHATTAN, KS – African swine fever is the most significant disease threat to swine globally, and recent introductions into previously negative countries has heightened the risk for disease spread. Without an effective vaccine or treatment, the primary objective of negative countries is to prevent African swine fever virus infection in pigs. Significant quantities of feed ingredients used for swine diets are traded worldwide and may be imported from countries with African swine fever. If feed ingredients are contaminated with the virus, they can serve as potential routes for the introduction and transmission of African swine fever virus explains Megan Niederwerder from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. She says assessment of risk starts with characterizing the necessity, source, and virus stability data of each feed ingredient. Then it’s a matter of securing the feed, ingredient and feed mill biosecurity in an effort to reduce infectious disease risks at all stages of swine production, and implementation of biosecurity procedures focused on feed can help address these risks.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)