In addition to the introduction of the actual infected animal, animal products may be introduced into an area. This introduction can then lead to the dissemination of pathogenic agents. For example, to prevent the introduction of African Swine Fever, officials tightly regulate the movement of pork products from endemic to African Swine Fever-free countries.

African Swine Fever (ASF) virus is a DNA virus that has not been classified but has similarities to both Iridovirus and Poxvirus. Susceptible animals include domestic and feral pigs, wart hogs, and peccaries. The disease is currently endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and has been present but is now eradicated from Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. ASF is characterized by fever, depression, occasional hemorrhagic disorders, and death. Transmission occurs via direct contact with infected animals or indirect contact via ticks, fomites, or feeding infected meat to pigs.

Lesions that you may see with ASF include hyperemia, reddened skin, splenomegaly, lung lobule consolidation, and skin necrosis.

Preventing introduction of ASF requires strict regulation of importation of pigs and pork products. The virus is considered very hardy and can survive months within pork products or on fomites. Importation of pork products from an infected herd poses the greatest risk for introduction of the disease.