Strategic challenges to global control of African swine fever

The recent escalation of the African swine fever (ASF) epidemic around the world has placed the majority of the world’s swine population under direct threat. To respond to this challenge,well-coordinated national, regional and global efforts will be required, not only by governments of the OIE Member Countries,national Veterinary Services and other public institutions, but also by a range of different stakeholders, including but not limited to the pig production industry, universities, research centres, forestry management bodies,hunter’s association, tourism and animal transportation organisations, civil society sector and international organisations. A holistic, inter-sectoral and trans-disciplinary collaborative approach, with effective and participative allocation and management of sufficientresources,will be of paramount importanceto prevent further spread and to control ASF worldwide. On the ground level,Member Countries should ensure the correct implementation of relevant OIE international standards and best practicesin order to effectively control ASF. Theseinclude,among others, the following measures: risk-based prevention and surveillance programmes, adequate biosecurity in pig production sectors and hunting grounds, pig traceability and movement control, effective official controls, wild pigmanagement, safe culling and disposal of animals and their contaminated products, improved collaboration among the multiple sectors involved, and continued education and awareness raising programsfor all relevant parties. Theresponseto the global threat must involve coordinated actionsby international organisations, research and scientific institutions,development partners, pig and meat producers, governmental agencies and other stakeholders to prevent further spread of this virus.It mustensure the wellbeing of farmers and poverty reduction, protect animal welfare,prevent disastrous economic loses, and allow further contribution of the pig sector to global health, wealth, equity and sustainability.Development ofeffective and safe vaccines for domestic pigs and wild boar is more important than ever, given the current global ASF threat associated with the worsening epidemiological situation and the lack of a vaccine to contain ASF outbreaks. There is an urgent need for an international consensus to design an appropriate global strategical framework and to carry out adequate actions related to the reduction of the burden of ASF, promotion of economic prosperity, ensuring food security and facilitating safetrade of pig commodities. Regional and national ASF control strategies should be based on the best practices, appropriate enforcement of the legislation and close coordination with stakeholders. Member Countries shouldincrease their technical capacities and expertise, identify and use the relevant scientific knowledge,and engage inrisk communication with relevant stakeholders.Integration of participatory approaches and stakeholder engagement, participation and ownership intheASF response are as essential for the development of a global agenda for ASF control as they arefor making technical recommendations for use by national Veterinary Services. Well-structured and properly implemented communication campaigns, targeted for establishing behavioural change and intersectoral collaboration should be an essential component of any ASF control programme. Thisarticle explores the global burden of the ASF situation, challengesfor effective control and eradication, lessons learned and thekey factors that need to be considered for a global coordinated response.