Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is a highly contagious viral disease of swine (Suidae). It affects domestic pigs, feral pigs and wild boar. It is a notifiable disease.
Classical swine fever was eradicated from Great Britain in 1966, with occasional outbreaks subsequently being contained and eradicated. The last outbreak in the UK occurred in 2000.
CSF is not transmissible to humans and is not a threat to human health.
Suspicion and confirmation
Classical swine fever is a notifiable animal disease.
Contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office immediately on 0300 303 8268 if you suspect Classical swine fever.
APHA vets will investigate suspected cases.
If the disease is confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in accordance with the Welsh Government Contingency Plan for Exotic Notifiable Disease of Animals and the Control Strategy for African and Classical Swine Fever for Great Britain (on gov.uk).
Clinical signs
Classical swine fever can occur in acute, chronic and mild forms. The acute form can cause severe disease and is generally fatal.
Clinical signs of CSF are almost identical to African swine fever (ASF) and they can only be reliably distinguished through laboratory diagnostic tests.
The main clinical signs are:
- fever
- loss of appetite
- lack of energy
- sudden death with few signs beforehand
other signs can include:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- red or dark skin, particularly on the ears and snout
- swollen red eyes
- laboured breathing and coughing
- abortion, stillbirths and weak litters
- nervous signs, including convulsions and tremors in newborn piglets
- weakness
Transmission
Classical swine fever is highly contagious and can be spread to healthy pigs through:
- direct contact with infected pigs or their faeces or bodily fluids
- pigs eating infectious meat or meat products
- contact with anything contaminated with the virus including people, their clothing, vehicles and other equipment.
- contact from infected sows to their piglets
Both Classical swine fever (CSF) and African swine fever (ASF) viruses can survive in meat and meat products, including frozen and cured products, for months or even years.
Keepers are reminded that it is illegal to feed kitchen waste of any description to pigs in the UK. In Wales the law is enforced under The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014 (on legislation.gov.uk).
Prevention and control
You should practise strict biosecurity to prevent the virus spreading. This includes:
- wearing protective clothing and boots, and providing these to any farm visitors or workers
- provide cleaning and disinfectant materials for all farm visitors or workers
- cleaning and disinfecting vehicles and equipment
- disposing of leftovers or waste food in secure bins that pigs or wildlife cannot access
- responsibly sourcing livestock
- remaining vigilant to signs of disease
- practicing strict biosecurity.
Legislation
The legislation covering classical swine fever in Wales on the legislation.gov.uk website includes:
- The Diseases of Swine Regulations 2014 (on legislation.gov.uk)
- The Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) (Wales) Order 2011 (on legislation.gov.uk)
- The Disease Control (Wales) Order 20033 (on legislation.gov.uk)
- The Animal Gatherings (Wales) Order 2010 (on legislation.gov.uk)
- The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014 (on legislation.gov.uk)
- The Products of Animal Origin (Disease Control) (Wales) Regulations 2008 (on legislation.gov.uk)