African swine fever virus is a large enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that is the sole member of the genus Asfivirus within the family Asfarviridae (Asfar=African swine fever and related viruses). African swine fever virus is the only known DNA arbovirus and is transmitted by soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros. Virus strains are distinguished by their virulence to swine, which ranges from highly lethal to subclinical infection.
Asfarvirus virions are enveloped, approximately 200 nm in diameter, and possess a nucleocapsid core that is surrounded by internal lipid layers and a complex icosahedral capsid. The capsid consists of a hexagonal arrangement of structural units, each of which appears as a hexagonal prism with a central hole. The genome consists of a single molecule of linear double-stranded DNA, 170–190 kbp in size, depending on the virus strain.
ASF virus is remarkably resilient, able to survive from days to months within the soil of pigpens, pork meat and pig products, or on people’s clothing. Curing meat won’t necessarily kill the virus. Neither will repeated freezing and thawing or cooking at 56 degrees Celsius for over an hour.
Note that the virus is not a direct threat to humans. It cannot be transmitted to people, and properly prepared pork products are safe to eat. It's not Swine Flu, which is H1N1 which can infect both humns and pigs.
The only way to prevent further escalation is to contain the disease and cull the animals. Though humans don't get infected their actions casuse the disease to spread. That's why everyone has to be responsible and stick to control measures.
There's no definitive vaccine as yet even though the disease existed since 1921.
Asfarvirus virions are enveloped, approximately 200 nm in diameter, and possess a nucleocapsid core that is surrounded by internal lipid layers and a complex icosahedral capsid. The capsid consists of a hexagonal arrangement of structural units, each of which appears as a hexagonal prism with a central hole. The genome consists of a single molecule of linear double-stranded DNA, 170–190 kbp in size, depending on the virus strain.
ASF virus is remarkably resilient, able to survive from days to months within the soil of pigpens, pork meat and pig products, or on people’s clothing. Curing meat won’t necessarily kill the virus. Neither will repeated freezing and thawing or cooking at 56 degrees Celsius for over an hour.
Note that the virus is not a direct threat to humans. It cannot be transmitted to people, and properly prepared pork products are safe to eat. It's not Swine Flu, which is H1N1 which can infect both humns and pigs.
The only way to prevent further escalation is to contain the disease and cull the animals. Though humans don't get infected their actions casuse the disease to spread. That's why everyone has to be responsible and stick to control measures.
There's no definitive vaccine as yet even though the disease existed since 1921.
