Is African Swine Fever Driven by Flying Hematophagous Insects?

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) has become one of the most economically important diseases affecting swine and has a significant negative impact on the global pork production sector. In Europe, the main reservoir of the disease is the wild boar population, which poses a risk of transmitting the disease to pig farms. To date, no safe and effective vaccine is available on the market. Therefore, biosecurity measures and early recognition of the disease play a key role in preventing and combating ASF. In recent years, numerous insights into the nature of the virus have emerged; however, several knowledge gaps still need to be addressed. One of these gaps is an accurate understanding of all possible pathways through which the virus can reach a pig farm. Interrupting these pathways would significantly reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite a general understanding of disease transmission, ASF can still affect farms with well-established high biosecurity measures. This article highlights the potential for mechanical transmission of ASF by flying hematophagous insects, considering several factors, including current knowledge of the putative role of insects in ASF transmission, insects’ abilities to transmit the virus, ASFV properties, the uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of indirect transmission, and the seasonality of disease outbreaks on domestic pig farms.