African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly disease that often causes huge economic losses to the pig farming industry. Therefore, understanding its characteristics is crucial. So, how long can ASF survive on concrete surfaces? Let's find out.
How long can African swine fever survive on concrete surfaces?
African swine fever virus can survive for 30-40 days on contaminated cement floors in pigpens. If there are bloodstains or oil stains on the walls or floor, the survival time can be extended to more than 70 days.
What are the differences between African swine fever and regular swine fever?
1. Different symptoms
Common swine fever symptoms typically include: fever, no vomiting, diarrhea (without blood), red or purple skin (not fading upon pressure), spleen abnormalities and necrosis, and usually only intestinal bleeding, with other organs not showing symptoms. African swine fever symptoms, on the other hand, typically include: fever around 41 degrees Celsius, later hypothermia, vomiting, diarrhea (with blood), not always red or purple skin, spleen enlarged 3-5 times its normal size, and bleeding on the surface of many organs (most often starting in fattening pigs or sows).
2. Characteristics of the virus
The common swine fever virus is the swine fever virus belonging to the genus Plasminogen genus of the family Flaviviridae, and is a single-stranded RNA virus. African swine fever virus, on the other hand, is a DNA virus, specifically a double-stranded DNA virus.
3. Characteristics of dissemination
Common swine fever is primarily transmitted through contact, and its incidence is not seasonal and follows no predictable pattern. African swine fever, however, can be transmitted not only through contact but also through insect vectors, primarily soft ticks. The African swine fever virus can remain infectious within ticks, causing continuous transmission.
4. Prevention and control measures
Common swine fever is mainly controlled through live vaccine immunization, making it a controllable infectious disease. However, there are currently no effective control measures for African swine fever. Inactivated vaccines are not very effective, and no successful and effective live vaccine has been developed. Control measures currently primarily rely on culling.
