ARS | Publication request: North American soft ticks (Ornithodoros spp.): biology and feral swine parasitism as risks for the emergence of African swine fever in the U.S.A.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 12, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: African Swine Fever (ASF) is an emerging arboviral disease that affects pigs. The causative agent is the double-stranded DNA African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). Several soft tick species in the genus Ornithodoros are known arthropod vectors of ASFV. Infection with ASFV can result in a hemorrhagic syndrome and high mortality in domestic pigs. ASF is spreading its geographic range from Africa to Europe, including Russia. Several countries are developing emergency reponse programs for the emergence of ASFV among their commercial swine population. The USA is free of ASFV, but its emergence could have a substantial economic impact on the domestic swine industry. Native soft tick species and the exploding feral swine population pose risks for the emergence of ASFV in the USA. Vector competence studies with native soft tick Ornithodoros species will be reviewed. This presentation also includes a preliminary assessment of ecological considerations for the temporal and spatial interaction between soft ticks and feral swine as a risk for the emergence of ASFV in the USA.