Early and Rapid Diagnosis and Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases — Phase II: African Swine Fever

The overall objective will be to develop, evaluate and validate ASF diagnostic technologies and platforms and to investigate the possible use of an irradiated ASF vaccine. This disease is being transmitted by ticks or direct/indirect contact. Surviving animals will harbour the virus for long term. Neutralizing antibodies cannot protect exposed animals from ASF, however, infected pigs that survive infection, are often protected from related strains. This is considered to be a consequence of the specific, IFN gamma producing T-memory cells. Molecular DNA detection in an animal provides evidence of infection, but not evidence of its protection status. In addition, attenuated and killed AFS vaccines do not confer protection in vaccinated animals. Outputs to the CRP will be (1) the development and evaluation of specific and sensitive immunological and molecular detection platforms, (2) the development of DNA recombinant technologies to assist in the sero-surveillance and (molecular) epidemiology of ASF, (3) manuals, guidelines and SOPs for the early and rapid diagnosis of ASF, (4) the development and evaluation of new generation prophylactic platforms (such as DNA recombinant ASF, irradiated ASF, empty particle ASF) to investigate the possibility of developing a protective ASF vaccine, (5) establish a network of ASF laboratories in Africa and Europe to increase collaboration and the exchange of information.