African swine fever: What Science Really Contributes to On-the-Ground Efforts

An article in *Frontiers in Veterinary Science* summarizes recent advances in the fight against African swine fever (ASF): more precise diagnostics, “physical” biosecurity, risks associated with animal feed, digital surveillance, and spatial modeling. But a single solution will not suffice; only a strategy that incorporates the “One Health” approach can sustainably contain the disease. ASF remains one of the major economic and health threats to the global swine industry. By synthesizing laboratory findings, field studies, and risk analyses, the article outlines an operational roadmap: the goal is to improve detection and surveillance, but also to prevent the disease by integrating virology, epidemiology, human behavior, and public policy.  

The Game-Changing Scientific Foundation

The authors highlight next-generation diagnostic tests, such as the “triple-protein” ELISA test, which is becoming more sensitive for serological screening, and a duplex qPCR test that has proven capable of distinguishing between genotypes I and II and the recombinant strains circulating in China. In parallel, a field study specifies which protocols or sampling methods optimize surveillance on farms to increase diagnostic yield without driving up costs.  

Biosecurity: From Equipment to Feed

Beyond procedures, “physical” innovations have emerged: plastic resin surfaces, for example, exhibit viral-inactivating properties, paving the way for equipment and facilities capable of reducing the spread of ASF in high-risk environments (buildings, equipment). Viral persistence has also been evaluated in various pig feed ingredients. It appears that feed flow management (origin, storage, processing, logistics) is a critical component that must be integrated into biosecurity and transportation plans.  

Alternative Monitoring: Web Data and Risk Mapping

In terms of surveillance, Google Trends analysis generates an early warning signal in Southeast Asia, which is useful for guiding investigations when resources are limited. At the same time, spatial modeling helps identify outbreaks and risk clusters (such as in Korea), aiding in the prioritization of inspections, animal movement controls, and veterinary resources.  

Wildlife, viral genetics… and what lies ahead?

A comprehensive review of the disease highlights the ecological complexity of ASF, with its animal reservoirs, multiple transmission routes, and genomics diversity. For authorities and the industry, the priority is to integrate all these components:

• diagnosis: the goal is to deploy tests tailored to the context (sensitive serology, qPCR capable of differentiating genotypes) and to optimize sampling protocols;
• biosecurity: inactivating procedures and materials should be combined in risk areas, without neglecting the feed factor;
• surveillance: official monitoring must be supplemented by digital indicators and risk mapping to better target the resources deployed;
• “One Health”: This approach strengthens coordination among wildlife, livestock, and public health sectors and takes the human factor into account.

While the article remains interesting for its multifaceted approaches to the disease, it is based on a diverse range of studies (both laboratory and field-based). Nevertheless, it highlights potential areas for improvement and useful missing links (standardization of tests, cost-effectiveness assessment of inactivating surfaces, validation of digital signals), which will necessarily require a strong commitment from public policymakers to promote innovation and research in this field.