African Swine Fever

As part of its overall mission to protect American agriculture, the United States Department of 

Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service works to keep the country’s 

livestock and poultry healthy in two ways – first by keeping foreign animal diseases out of the 

country, and second by dealing with disease issues that affect our nation’s herds and flocks. 

Together, these efforts protect American producers, their livelihoods, our food supply, and 

ultimately our nation’s agricultural prosperity, including opportunities for international trade.

A foreign animal disease that has the potential to be devastating to U.S. swine producers is 

African swine fever (ASF). It is a long-standing disease found in countries around the world, 

particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Since August 2018, China has confirmed more than 50 cases 

of ASF. The disease is also spreading within the European Union, reaching 10 member states 

and affecting mostly the wild pig population. As the number of cases grows, USDA is 

increasing its vigilance and safeguarding efforts against the spread of the disease to the United 

States. 

What is African Swine Fever?

African swine fever is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and 

feral (wild) pigs in all age groups. ASF is not a threat to human health and cannot be transmitted 

from pigs to humans.

ASF is spread by contact with infected animals’ body fluids. It can be spread by ticks that feed 

on infected animals. People are also a source of spread; as they can move the virus on vehicles 

or clothing. It can also be spread by feeding pigs uncooked garbage that contains infected pork 

products, though there are state and federal regulations in place to ensure garbage feeding is done 

correctly and will not spread disease.

The signs of ASF include: high fever; decreased appetite; weakness; red, blotchy skin or skin 

lesions; diarrhea, vomiting, coughing and difficulty breathing. Producers or veterinarians should 

immediately report animals with any of these signs to state or federal animal health officials for 

appropriate testing and investigation. Timeliness is essential to preventing the spread of ASF. 

There is no treatment or vaccine available for this disease. The only way to stop this deadly 

disease is to depopulate all affected or exposed swine herds.

Keeping ASF Out

Because of the concern over ASF, USDA recently reviewed and further strengthened its 

longstanding stringent protections against the spread of the disease. 

Animal and Plant

Health Inspection 

Service

November 2018
2

These include:

• Collaborating with states, industry and producers to ensure everyone follows on-farm 

biosecurity and best practices (including for garbage feeding in states where that is 

allowed);

• Restricting imports of pork and pork products from affected countries; and

• Working with CBP staff at ports of entry to increase passenger and baggage screening for 

prohibited products from affected countries.

Preparing to Respond If Needed

Although prevention is the goal, USDA is also actively readying and planning its response, 

should ASF be detected. USDA has an existing emergency response plan for ASF and we 

update and adjust it based on current epidemiological information to ensure it remains as strong 

and effective as possible. 

USDA is increasing the testing capacity of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network labs 

for ASF. This will ensure diagnostic testing occurs quickly and accurately, so that we can 

respond rapidly if ASF is detected. It will also support disease monitoring efforts following an 

outbreak, should one occur.

Because ASF spreads rapidly and can kill very quickly, fast detection is key to preventing 

disease spread and limiting the scope of an outbreak. It is essential that sick pigs showing 

potential signs of ASF are reported to state or federal animal health officials immediately for 

appropriate testing. Limiting an outbreak is important for many reasons, but the most important 

one being that is reduces the number of producers who are directly affected. Any finding of ASF 

will impact international trade and the swine industry, but the sooner the disease is contained and 

controlled, the sooner we can work together to return to business as usual.

Team Effort

Even with the USDA safeguards in place, producers, the swine industry, veterinarians and even 

international travelers should be vigilant in protecting against ASF. 

Producers and Industry

It is essential that all producers and the swine industry ensure strict biosecurity procedures are in 

place and being followed on all swine farms. Good biosecurity will help protect pigs from ASF 

and other infectious diseases by preventing the introduction and spread of viruses or other germs 

throughout pig populations. 

Each farm should have a biosecurity manager, who is responsible for educating workers and all 

onsite personnel about the site-specific biosecurity plans or protocols for that farm. Biosecurity 

should be routinely evaluated to make sure the plans are working and that the steps are 

completed correctly, every day - every time.

Producers should also maintain strict records of visitor traffic including personnel, vehicles and 

equipment on farms and all pig production facilities.
3

For more information on swine biosecurity, contact your swine industry associations, who have a 

wide variety of materials available.

Veterinarians

ASF is a notifiable disease in the United States. Veterinarians should be familiar with the signs 

of ASF (listed above) and report any potential cases to state or federal animal health officials 

right away.

International Travelers

International travelers also need to be aware of this disease, as they could unknowingly carry the 

virus into the United States. 

Anyone who has contact with pigs or swine farms on travel must ensure they carefully clean and 

disinfect their shoes, wash their clothes and shower prior to having contact with pigs here in the 

U.S. Report the visit on the CBP form (question 12).

Travelers looking to bring back agricultural items or souvenirs should check USDA’s travelers 

web page to see if the item(s) are allowed.