Why does feeding swill pose a risk for the transmission of African swine fever (ASF)?

Feeding swill poses a risk for the transmission of African swine fever (ASF) primarily because the virus can survive in some pork products for extended periods. Swill, which often consists of leftover food scraps, can include pork products that may be contaminated with the ASF virus. If pigs consume this swill, they can become infected, leading to outbreaks of the disease.

The resilience of the virus in food products is a significant concern in controlling its spread. This longevity allows the ASF virus to persist in the food chain, making it possible for infected pork to be inadvertently included in swill, thereby increasing the likelihood of infection in domestic pig populations. Effective biosecurity measures need to be put in place to ensure that such swill does not pose a risk to swine health.