Vol. 9, Issue 7 (2020)

Author(s):
Dr. Sayed Nabil Abedin, Dr. Anubha Baruah, Dr. Arundhati Bora, Dr. Devojyoti Dutta and Dr. Arup Dutta

Abstract:
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of swine causing high mortality in domestic pigs with mortality rates approaching 100%. The disease is caused by a double stranded DNA virus called as ASF virus (ASFV) and is believed to be the only member of the Asfarviridae family and genus Asfivirus. Viral entry into the host is through receptor mediated endocytosis. Although the attachment factors and specific receptors involved in the process are still unknown, macro-pinocytosis and clathrin- dependent entry mechansims have been proposed. ASFV replicates predominantly in the cytoplasm of macrophages. ASFV infection in its natural hosts is usually asymptomatic and the host remains persistently infected (PI). In contrast, AFSV infection in domestic pigs leads to lethal haemmorhagic fever and death. Wild suids and arthropod vectors of the genus Ornithodoros spp are believed to be the natural hosts of the virus. Pigs acquire the infection either through the sylvatic cycle or the domestic cycle. ASFV is endemic to Africa but due to transboundary movement, the virus has spread to other continents. India reported its first outbreak of the virus recently in the Northeastern regions of the country i.e in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Till the month of June, ASF has killed over 17,000 pigs in Assam and an unknown number in Arunachal Pradesh. This review throws a light into the nature of the virus, epidemiology, transmission cycle, viral entry mechanism, signs and symptoms, treatment options and preventing the spread of the disease.