African swine fever FAQs

African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease which affects all pigs, including wild boar. It is spreading in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa.

It is a notifiable disease, which means that suspicion of ASF in England must be reported to Defra by calling 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence.

The main clinical signs of ASF are:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of energy
• Sudden death (with few signs beforehand)

You may not see large numbers of affected or dead pigs and instead may only see one or a small number.

Other signs can include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Red or dark skin (especially on the ears and snout)
• Discharge from the eyes and nose
• Laboured breathing and coughing
• Abortion
• Weakness
• Unsteady gait

There are several strains of ASF, and pigs infected with mild strains may not become ill or may only show mild clinical signs. Severe strains of ASF are generally fatal.

The clinical signs of ASF are very similar to classical swine fever (CSF), another notifiable disease of pigs.

Find out more about CSF on the Defra website

ASF is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of ASF in England must be reported to Defra on 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence.

ASF can spread if healthy pigs:

• Eat infected meat or meat products, because the virus can survive for a long time in cooked or frozen meat. It is illegal to feed pigs kitchen scraps, even if the scraps were prepared in a vegetarian or vegan kitchen
• Come into contact with infected pigs or their faeces or body fluids
• Come into contact with anything that is contaminated with the virus, such as people, clothing, vehicles or equipment

• Keep ASF off your farm by controlling pig movements and prohibiting pork products from entering your farm
• Feed a commercial pig feed
• Wear protective clothing and boots, and provide these for anyone entering your premises
• Minimise vehicles and people coming onto your farm; where they are essential, clean and disinfect vehicles and any equipment you have used around pigs
• Dispose of leftovers or waste food in secure bins that pigs and wildlife cannot access

The list of Defra-approved disinfectants will show you which products you should use, and the concentration of the disinfectant you must use.

Defra-approved disinfectants

ASF affects all pigs, including wild boar, but does not affect any other animals.

ASF can affect wild boar but does not affect any other wildlife present in the UK.

No, ASF virus does not affect people.

ASF does not affect food safety, and meat from infected animals is safe to eat.

There is currently no licenced vaccine available.

It is not just Defra’s role to prevent the disease entering England. We can, and should, all play a role.

The best way to stop this would be to stop meat products entering the UK.