African swine fever

What is it?

African swine fever (ASF), is a serious, highly contagious disease of pigs. It is notifiable in Australia, meaning any suspected cases need to be reported immediately.

How is it characterised?

ASF virus can affect domestic and feral pigs of all ages. Clinical manifestations include fever, ‘blotching’ of the skin, incoordination, diarrhoea, vomiting and pneumonia. It has an incubation period of 15 days and most infected animals die within 10 days.

ASF virus does not spread from pigs to humans and does not make humans sick.

How is it spread?

AFS is highly contagious and resistant and can stay in the environment for months. ASF can be spread by:

  • inhalation through the air
  • contact with infected boar or pigs
  • contact with contaminated clothing or objects
  • vectors such as ticks.

It is also spread by feeding infected swill or meat scraps to pigs. This includes infected pig products illegally imported from overseas.

Swill feeding

Feeding food scraps, bakery waste, restaurant waste and untreated used cooking oils to pigs is is illegal in all states and territories including NSW. These restrictions apply to all pigs including pet pigs.This is because swill can carry exotic diseases including African swine fever that could devastate our livestock industries.

Look for quality assured feed and ask your feed supplier for a vendor declaration. For more information on what you can and can’t feed your pigs, visit the swill feeding primefact.

Where is it found?

Although there have been no reported cases of ASF in Australia, an outbreak of this deadly disease was reported in China in 2018, where authorities ordered culls across the country and a ban on the movement of live pigs in reaction to outbreaks of African swine fever in 10 of its provinces.

An outbreak of ASF was also confirmed last year in Belgium, marking the arrival of the disease in western Europe.

ASF has continued its spread throughout South-East Asia, with confirmed cases reported in Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, North Korea, South Korea, the Philippines and most recently, Timor Leste.

What is the potential cost to Australia?

The occurrence and spread of ASF would cause serious production losses to the $1.277 billion Australian pork industry.

How is it treated?

Forms of the disease range from severe to very mild. In its most severe form, up to 100% of pigs may be affected and die. There are no known cures or vaccines against ASF.

If we had a confirmed case of ASF, the strategy in Australia would be to eradicate the disease in the shortest possible time by implementing strict quarantine and movement controls to prevent spread of the virus by animals, people, products and equipment.

In NSW all pigs need to be tagged or branded to assist with identification as part of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). The NLIS enhances Australia's ability to quickly contain a major food safety or disease incident.

How do I report it?

If you suspect ASF in pigs, you must report it to your Local Land Services District Veterinarian immediately on 1300 795 299 or call the 24 hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

More information

For more information, visit the Australian pork website.