CA15116 - Understanding and combating African Swine Fever in Europe (ASF-STOP)

African swine fever (ASF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever of domestic pigs and wild boar. The disease causes massive loss of animals due to mortality and the essential eradication control policies which give rise to animal welfare problems as well as further economic loss from trade restrictions. There are no vaccines for ASF. ASF has been present in Russia and neighbouring countries since 2007 and recently the disease has entered the EU.

This Action tackles the main challenge of stopping ASF from further spread in Europe and protecting the European pig industry. Specifically, how to:

-better manage and control wild boar populations given their importance in ASF spread and maintenance

-develop methods of surveillance to increase the early detection of ASF incursion into new areas

-understand the epidemiology of ASF in the unique European context; to determine the epidemiological role of wild boar, ticks vectors of the virus, and the environment

-develop and improve management tools; such as an ASF vaccine and novel diagnostics, determine how to involve stakeholders and the general public in preventing ASF spread and determine how policy and legislation can contribute to prevention, control and eradication of ASF.

This Action aims to bring together the leading European teams in these fields to improve the knowledge, diagnosis, surveillance and management of ASF. The Action by supporting the reduction of overlap and identification of knowledge gaps will facilitate a shared European vision and innovative approaches to an ASF-free domestic pig sector and wild boar population in Europe.