EU study on ASF contamination through feed

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African swine fever (ASF) is sometimes very persistent in the environment, so the suspicion is that the disease could be transmitted to farm pigs through feed, water and bedding. This was a theoretical assumption, so researchers confirmed it scientifically.

In February 2022, the stability of ASF in various animal feed and bedding materials under practical storage conditions was examined in a joint German-Swedish research project (Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) and the German Federal Risk Assessment Institute (BfR) and experts from the Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA).

The experts concluded that ASF, which may have entered processed by-products, grains, extraction meal and mixed fodder, is largely inactivated by the processing steps. However, improper handling of products after production can lead to re-infection by ASF.

This route of transmission is unlikely if generally accepted hygienic standards and preventive measures for feed processing and production are followed. Transmission of ASF cannot be completely ruled out in feeds that are not subjected to any additional treatment and are fed directly.


PigUA.info by pigprogress.net