Countermeasures for the Control of African Swine Fever in Georgia

Background: African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is the cause an acute, highly contagious, infectious disease in domestic pigs that is usually lethal to the animal. There is no vaccine for the virus and the potential distribution of the infection is global. Therefore, most countries free of the disease take significant measures to prevent the entry of the virus. Georgia reported ASFV to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in 2007 after final confirmation by an OIE reference laboratory. Sequence analysis of the Georgian ASFV isolate revealed a close relationship to viral strains from Southeast Africa (Mozambique, Madagascar and Zambia). The epidemiological course of the disease was unclear. Retrospectively, the first clinical cases attributed to ASF were seen in the port of Poti situated in Western Georgia on the Black Sea (May 2007). The virus may have been introduced by ships carrying contaminated meat or meat products. Countermeasures for the control of ASF were carried out at the LMA with a joint collaboration with PIADC. Methods: Samples from swine that were collected and included: serum, blood, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, lung, liver, and kidney. Samples were collected throughout Georgia. All samples were tested by ELISA and positive samples were confirmed by PCR. GIS techniques were also used to show the distribution of the disease by regions. Results: In total, 2310 samples were tested since 2007-2011. A total of 239 positive samples were detected since 2007. All the activities were executed in close collaboration and coordination with US researchers at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Positive samples were transferred there for further investigation. Conclusion: Active surveillance of ASFV in Georgia limits epidemic and outbreak situations and avoids economical loses in the country