Assessment and Appliction of Whole-Herd-Sampling, qPCR-Based-Testing, and Precision-Removal Method in Eliminating ASFv in Four Large Swine Herds in China

Abstract

Abstract Since the first report of ASFV in China in 2018, conventional whole herd depopulation method to control ASF has proved unwieldly because of high production intensity and complex trade network. To provide an alternative to conventional methods, we evaluated the feasibility of implementating an extensive sampling method and qPCR tests to determine the status of ASFV in herds, with a rapid response to identified outbreaks. By assessing and applying these methods without whole herd depopulation, we successfully controlled ASF and eliminated the virus from 4 large swine herds. The time to negative herd was 19, 28, 14, and 1 days in farms 1-4 respectively. Retention rates of pigs of farm 1 to farm 4 was 69.7%, 65%, 99.4% and 99.72% respectively. We anticipated that this innovative method would replace the conventional stamping out one and greatly facilitate the control and eradication of ASFV in China and worldwide.