African Swine Fever's Threat in River Water: Unveiling the Risks and Survival Dynamics
As African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) continues to plague parts of Europe, with recent expansions to southern Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and bordering Croatia, the focus on containment and prevention has never been more critical. With vaccines currently off the table in countries like Canada due to their indistinguishability from field virus infections, alternative control strategies such as quarantine, biosecurity, and vector control remain the frontline defenses against this persistent threat.
In an effort to deepen the understanding of ASFV’s environmental persistence, researchers from the UK and Ireland have embarked on a groundbreaking study to explore the virus's stability and infectivity in natural water sources. Their focus: the behavior of ASFV in river water, a crucial component of the natural ecosystem that has not been thoroughly studied in this context until now.
Utilizing a cell culture-adapted ASFV strain, BA71V, the team conducted a series of experiments to monitor the virus's survival over a 42-day period across various temperatures considered environmentally relevant—4°C, 15°C, and 21°C. Their findings reveal a concerning resilience of ASFV in aquatic environments:
At a chilly 4°C, akin to cold weather conditions, ASFV remained stable and infectious in river water for more than 42 days.
At a moderate 15°C, the virus's stability extended up to 28 days.
Even at a warmer 21°C, ASFV could still maintain its infectious properties for up to 14 days.
These results underscore a critical vulnerability in waterways, particularly when considering the illegal disposal practices often associated with ASFV outbreaks. The dumping of infected carcasses in rivers not only poses significant risks for cross-contamination but also enhances the virus's survival due to organic materials from the carcasses themselves.
The implications of this research are profound, offering vital insights that can inform disease control strategies. Understanding that ASFV can thrive in river water for extended periods provides a key piece of the puzzle in managing disinfection protocols and quarantine downtimes more effectively. This knowledge could be pivotal in preventing the spread of ASFV through water sources, highlighting the need for stringent control measures and public awareness to combat the illegal dumping of infected animal remains.
As ASFV continues to challenge global swine health, studies like these are essential in evolving our response strategies and ensuring that our waterways do not become conduits for further spread of this devastating disease.
