#AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF)

Outbreak of African Swine Fever, Vietnam, 2019

Van Phan Le, 1 Dae Gwin Jeong,1 Sun-Woo Yoon, Hye-Min Kwon, Thi Bich Ngoc Trinh, Thi Lan
Nguyen, Thi To Nga Bui, Jinsik Oh, Joon Bae Kim, Kwang Myun Cheong, Nguyen Van Tuyen, Eunhye
Bae, Thi Thu Hang Vu, Minjoo Yeom, Woonsung Na, and Daesub Song

Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer

Abstract

Since its first identification in East Africa in the early 1900s, African swine fever (ASF) spread to
Kenya in the 1920s; transcontinental outbreaks in Europe and South America in the 1960s and in
Georgia (Caucasus) in 2007 led to subsequent transmission to neighboring countries east of Georgia.
Along with the outbreaks in the eastern territory of the Russian Federation, acute ASF outbreaks
were reported in China in 2018 (1).

During January 15–31, 2019, a disease outbreak at a family-owned backyard pig farm in Hung Yen
Province, Vietnam, was reported. The farm, ≈50 km from Hanoi and 250 km from the China border,
housed 20 sows. In the early stage of the outbreak, 1 piglet and 1 sow exhibited marked redness all
over the body, conjunctivitis, and hemorrhagic diarrhea. Breeding gilts demonstrated anorexia,
cyanosis, and fever (>40.5°C).

On February 1, 2019, after confirming that the mortality rate at this farm had surpassed 50%, we
collected organ samples (e.g., spleen, liver, kidney, tonsil, and lymph nodes) from dying pigs and
submitted them to the diagnostic laboratory at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture for
ASF diagnosis. All specimens underwent homogenization, followed by extraction of viral DNA (2).
ASF virus DNA was identified by routine PCR, as recommended by the Office International des
Epizooties (Paris, France), and by commercialized real-time PCR (Median Diagnostics Inc.,
http://www.mediandiagnostics.com). We named the detected ASF virus VNUA/HY-ASF1 and
deposited the following complete genome sequences into GenBank: p10 (accession no. MK795932),
p11.5 (MK795933), p12 (MK795934), p14.5 (MK795935), p17 (MK795936), p22 (MK795937),
pE248R (MK795938), p30 (MK757460), p54 (MK554697), p72 (MK554698), and Cd2v (MK757459).
We aligned the nucleotide sequences by using BioEdit version 7.2 (Ibis Biosciences,
http://www.mbio.ncsu.edu/bioedit/bioedit.html) with ClustalW (http://clustal.org) and calculated
sequence identity. Using MEGA7 (https://www.megasoftware.net)and the neighbor-joining method,
we based phylogenetic analysis on the genetic information and calculated bootstrap values with
1,000 replicates. The genotype was determined by p72 gene characterization as reported previously
(3,4). Phylogenetic trees revealed that the VNUA/HY-ASF1 strain belonged to p72 genotype II
(Figure) and was 100% identical to China strains SY18/China/2018 (GenBank accession no.
MH713612) and AnhuiXCGQ/China/2018 (MK128995) and other genotype II strains of Europe:
Georgia/2007/1 (GenBank accession no. FR682468.1), Russia/2012 (KJ195685), Estonia/2014
(LS478113), and Poland/2015 (MH681419).

Figure
The clinical signs and necropsy findings of the pigs involved in the 2019 outbreak in Vietnam were
similar to those caused by the virus strains in China and Georgia (e.g., high mortality rates over a
short period and multifocal hemorrhagic lesions in many organs). However, the clinical forms and
pathophysiology of ASF varied according to virus virulence, exposure dose, and transmission route.

Considering the epidemiologic features of the site where ASF has recently occurred, the virus is
highly likely to have reached Vietnam via infected wild boar, by movement of pigs and pork
products, or by infected fomites (5). The most probable source and major cause of transmission
across the countries is thought to be ASF virus–contaminated pork products (2). The outbreak in
Vietnam was confirmed in the northern part of the country, near China, where many instances of
illegal movement of animals and meat products across the China–Vietnam border have been reported
(http://www.fao.org/3/i8805en/I8805EN.pdf). Therefore, it is likely that the virus originated in
China.

Although the p30, p54, and p72 sequences were 100% identical to those from China and Georgia,
whole genomes must be monitored for possible changes and further spread of the ASF virus. Since
the 2018 outbreak in China, the subsequent ASF outbreak in Vietnam (February 1, 2019) increases
the possibility of virus spread to nearby swine-raising Southeast Asia countries, including Laos,
Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Although ASF has occurred in many countries, including Russia
and Europe, its outbreak in Asia is far more critical because 60% of the world’s pig population is
concentrated in that area and the socioeconomic effects of swine disease would be greater than
that in other regions. Therefore, to avoid great economic losses worldwide, we highly recommend
that preventive and control measures be developed and implemented through international
collaboration.

RAPPLER IQ

FAST FACTS: What is African swine fever?

SWINE DEATHS. The Department of Agriculture confirms that African swine fever has caused
hog deaths in the Philippines. File photo by Maria Tan/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines– The Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed that African swine fever
(ASF) has caused deaths of hundreds of pigs in several areas in the country.

What are its effects and how will the disease affect the local hog industry?

What is African swine fever?

According to the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), ASF is a highly contagious viral disease
that affects pigs, warthogs, and boars.

It causes pigs to have high fever and lose their appetite. It also causes hemorrhages in the skin and
internal organs.
Death is certain. Pigs die in a span of 2 to 10 days upon affliction.

There is no known vaccine against ASF yet.

Which areas are affected?

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said 7 areas in two provinces in Luzon have been affected by
ASF. These are:

Rizal - San Jose, Macabud, San isidro, San Rafael, Mascap, and Cupang in Antipolo
Bulacan - Guiguinto
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, ASF has severely affected China, Mongolia,
Vietnam, Cambodia, some areas in South Korea, Laos, and Myanmar.

ASF outbreaks have been detected in 32 provinces in China. Almost 1.2 million pigs there have been
culled in an effort to halt the further spread of the disease.

Can humans get sick?

No. The NMIS said ASF is not considered as a human health threat.

However, humans can become carriers of the virus once tainted pork is ingested or if people get
close to the infected meat.

The virus can also survive even if the meat has been processed or canned.

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considered an outbreak, but not an epidemic

Pampanga bans live pigs from entering its territory

With the threat of the African swine fever just across its borders, Pampanga becomes the first
Luzon province to impose a hog blockade

QC culls pigs, adds checkpoints to help contain African swine fever

Slaughterhouses and major public markets are also being monitored to prevent the entry of both
African swine fever-infected meat and double dead meat

Dar suspects that the virus may have been brought by some overseas Filipinos who came from ASF-
affected countries.

What has the government done?

Prior to the public announcement that ASF has caused hog deaths, the Philippine government sent
tissue samples to laboratories in the United Kingdom to determine the cause of death of the pigs.
While tests have confirmed that it was indeed ASF that caused the deaths, the particular strand
of the virus has yet to be determined.

The government said it has enforced the "1-7-10 Protocol" in the affected areas.

Quarantine checkpoints are set up in areas within a 1-kilometer radius of farms possibly having
cases of ASF. All pigs within the area are also culled.

Dar said over 7,400 pigs have been culled in the affected areas.

Within a 7-kilometer radius, authorities conduct surveillance and limit any animal movement.

Meanwhile, farm owners within a 10-kilometer radius are required to report if they have pigs
showing signs of the disease.

According to Dar, the government has "successfully managed the issue."

"We are pleased to report that we have already suspended the ground operations in Rizal and will
now focus on cleaning and disinfection operations," the DA said.

The government has also banned pork imports from ASF-affected countries.

What is the potential impact?

The disease threatens the P260-billion swine industry in the country. The industry provides
livelihood for millions of Filipino families, as small backyard raisers comprise roughly two-thirds or
65% of the industry.

The Philippines currently has 12 million hogs in its inventory.

The DA said it has set aside P82 million to prevent the further spread of ASF. The amount includes
P3,000 in financial aid for each affected hog raiser.

What can the public do?

For swine raisers, the DA reminds them to enhance biosecurity measures and promptly report any
unusual animal deaths in their respective farms.

Swill feeding or feeding food scraps to pigs is highly discouraged.

For consumers, the government advises them to remain vigilant when buying pork and pork products
and to always look for the NMIS seal as a guarantee.
The public is also encouraged to report any animal disease incidence to their respective municipal,
city, or provincial veterinary offices.

African swine fever now in Philippines

Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III assure the public
that pork is safe to eat, as long as it bears the stamp of the National Meat Inspection Service

HOG INDUSTRY. Hogs at a backyard piggery in Quezon City on August 28, 2019. File photo by
Maria Tan/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture confirmed that African swine fever (ASF) is
present in several areas in the country and has caused the deaths of pigs.

In a briefing on Monday, September 9, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said most of the tissue
samples that they sent over to laboratories in the United Kingdom tested positive for ASF.

However, tests have yet to confirm which strand of ASF has caused the hog deaths.

Dar said 7 areas in two provinces in Luzon have been affected by ASF. These are:

Rizal - San Jose, Macabud, San isidro, San Rafael, Mascap, and Cupang in Antipolo
Bulacan - Guiguinto
Dar said experts suspect that the virus was spread through food waste from restaurants and
hotels, as well as products carried by overseas Filipinos from countries with ASF.

ASF cannot be transmitted to humans.

SAFE TO EAT. Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III eat
pork to assure the public that it is safe to eat and African swine fever cases are contained. Photo
by Darren Langit/Rappler

SAFE TO EAT. Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III eat
pork to assure the public that it is safe to eat and African swine fever cases are contained. Photo
by Darren Langit/Rappler

Though the virus is already in the Philippines, Dar said pork in the market is safe to eat.

The agriculture chief even ate pork together with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and hog
industry stakeholders on Monday morning.

Dar said the public should look for the stamp of the National Meat Inspection Service to ensure
that the meat they are buying underwent thorough screening. – Rappler.com