ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2022 59 African Swine Fever (ASF) has proven the biggest threat to the swine industry in recent years. Outbreaks and cases have been reported in five continents and 35 countries so far, and the virus is spreading further, costing billions of dollars for prevention and eradication measures. Prevention is key to control the spread of the disease. Biosecurity measures need to be comprehensive to ensure that there is no gap through which the virus can enter the farm. In most operations, common biosecurity measures, i.e. restriction of people movement, quarantine protocols for incoming animals, pest control and cleaning and disinfecting regimens are implemented and observed. However, apart from the strict ban on swill feeding, other feed sources are often not considered, though the introduction of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) into the United States in 2013 demonstrated that swine diseases can be both introduced and transmitted through feed. A recent risk analysis carried out by EFSA (2021) concluded that the virus can survive in some animal feed types for up to 30 days and can be transmitted via mash and pelleted compound feed as well as certain feed additives. This possibility of transmission via the feed constitutes a gap in the existing biosecurity measures that needs to be closed. Restricting use of raw materials sourced from regions that are affected by African Swine Fever is recommended but may not always be feasible. The removal of African Swine Fever virus carried in feed therefore has a high significance for the industry ASF: PHYTOGENIC POWER FOR SAFE FEED Combating the spread of the African Swine Fever Virus is currently a top priority worldwide. The spread of the virus poses a serious challenge to pig production, with the threat of major losses. Biosecurity measures are designed to prevent the virus from entering the farm. But they must be comprehensive – and that includes transmission via feed. Niku Moussavi Biuki Research and Development Specialist Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH & Co. KG, Germany Dr. Elisabeth Holl Senior Technical Sales Manager Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
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