Category FAQ

Frequently asked questions about African swine fever (ASF)

Updated BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment FAQ of 16 July 2021

In Germany, the first cases of African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs were detected in two pig farms in Brandenburg on 15 July 2021. ASF is a disease of domestic pigs and wild boar caused by a virus. As the pathogen is not dangerous to humans, the consumption of foods originating from infected animals does not pose a health risk to consumers. To prevent further spread of the ASF pathogen, it is important to dispose food waste only in such a way that it is inaccessible to wild boars. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) has compiled some selected questions and answers on the subject.

[Accordion] Frequently asked questions about African swine fever (ASF)

African swine fever (ASF) is a disease of domestic pigs and wild boar caused by a virus. Infection with the ASF virus usually leads to an acute and severe, often lethal, disease in these animals. ASF is a notifiable epizootic disease, the control of which is regulated in animal health law and the swine fever regulation.

The ASF virus is endemic above all in infected wild boar in Africa and can be transferred locally to domestic pigs. In the past, there have also been outbreaks of ASF in several southern European countries. Since 2007, the ASF virus has spread from Georgia to Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, the enclave of Kaliningrad and Moldova. Since 2014, numerous ASF cases have been reported in wild boar in the Baltic States and Poland and since 2017 in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania, along with outbreaks among domestic pigs. In September 2018, the ASF virus was detected for the first time in wild boar in Belgium. In Germany, the first case of ASF was detected in a wild boar in Brandenburg on 10 September 2020. The first cases of ASF in domestic pigs in Germany were detected in two pig farms in Brandenburg on 15 July 2021.

The ASF virus can be transmitted between animals through various channels. In addition to direct infection, transmission is also possible via certain tick species. Due to the limited distribution area of the relevant ticks, however, this transmission path is of no consequence in northern Europe. The virus is transmitted mainly through direct contact between infected animals or contact with the excretions of infected animals. As soon as it has found its way into the environment, the pathogen can remain infectious for a longer time.

Foods produced from infected animals which are consumed by non-infected animals play a special role. The virus can remain infectious for several months in foods produced from infected animals, such as ham. Via foods of this kind, the pathogen can find its way into previously ASF-free regions and cause disease in pigs and wild boar. Food scraps should therefore be disposed of in such a way that they cannot be reached by wild boar.

As the ASF virus cannot be transferred to humans, it is not dangerous. The consumption of foods originating from infected animals is not dangerous to health either.

Wild boar and domestic pigs can be infected with other pathogens apart from the ASF virus, some of which can be transferred to humans and cause disease. As with all raw meats, consumers should therefore always observe the basic rules of kitchen hygiene when preparing the meat of wild boar or domestic pigs. These include compliance with the cold chain and the avoidance of cross-contamination, which is understood to be the transfer of germs from one food to another. The meat should also be properly heated in such a way that all parts of the food reach a temperature of 70° C or higher for at least two minutes.

As no transmissions of the ASF virus to humans have been reported to date, the virus is regarded as not dangerous to humans. Direct contact of humans with infected animals does not pose a risk either.

It happened repeatedly that the ASF virus was introduced into previously ASF-free pig and wild boar herds through foods that were produced in regions in which the ASF virus is widespread. To prevent introduction from third countries, strict compliance with regulations on the import of foods is important. In general, uneaten foods containing animal ingredients should be disposed of in such a way that they cannot be reached by other animals.

More information on the subject:

The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLIshort forFriedrich Loeffler Institute), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, is the research institute in Germany which conducts research in the field of epizootic diseases. In the event of an outbreak of ASF in wild boar in Germany, the FLIshort forFriedrich Loeffler Institute has prepared measures to prevent the subsequent spread of the disease to the greatest possible extent. These measures apply mainly to hunters and farmers and are published on the FLIshort forFriedrich Loeffler Institute website.

More detailed information on disease control:

ASF is a notifiable animal disease the control of which is regulated in Europe and Germany by laws and regulations. An overview of the legal provisions on ASF can be found at the website of the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety of Lower Saxony. (External Link:https://www.tierseucheninfo.niedersachsen.de/startseite/service/rechtsvorschriften/afrikanisc he_schweinepest/rechtliche-bestimmungen-zur-afrikanischen-schweinepest-121748.html).

More information on the subject of food infections on the BfR website

  • https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/364/protection-against-foodborne-infections.pdf
  • http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/verbrauchertipps-schutz-vor-viralen-lebensmittelinfektionen.pdf

About the BfR

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMELshort forGerman Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) in Germany. It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.

This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.

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