African Swine Fever poses a serious threat to the entire globe. Although the virus is not zoonotic and does not pose a risk to human health, its economic implications are far-reaching, affecting a wide array of agricultural commodities and markets.
While the disease has yet to reach the United States, researchers at Kansas State University are working to ensure it can be easily detected.
“While our primary goal is to prevent African Swine Fever virus introduction into the U.S., we have to be prepared for a swift and effective response should the virus ever enter our country,” explains research leader Megan Niederwerder, Asst. Professor of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at K-States College of Veterinary Medicine. “Goals of the ongoing African swine fever virus research in my laboratory are not only to develop strategies for prevention but also to broaden detection capacity and validate best practices for elimination.”
The pork disease has historically impacted animals in the European Union and Asia. In 2021, it was detected for the first time in the Western Hemisphere, in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Since pork is the most widely consumed protein globally, the effects on the pork industry are of considerable concern. The absence of an effective vaccine substantially threatens global pork production due to the virus’s significant impact on trade and exports.
