Studying the Epidemiology of African Swine Fever in Mozambique Quembo, C. J.1 , Vosloo, W. 2 , Costa

1
Studying the Epidemiology of African Swine Fever
in Mozambique Quembo, C. J.1 , Vosloo, W. 2 ,
Costard, S.3 1Regional Veterinary Laboratory
Chimoio-Mozambique, 2Onderstepoort Veterinary
Institute South Africa and 3Royal Veterinary
College - UK Email cquembo_at_hotmail.com or
vetlabman_at_teledata.mz
Context African Swine Fever is considered to be
one of the most important diseases affecting pigs
in Mozambique. However, few ASF suspicions are
reported, and even fewer outbreaks are confirmed
and notified. Therefore, little is known about
the situation in the country. The disease was
first reported in the mid 50s, and has then
become endemic since in some provinces of the
central region. Farmers report regular outbreaks
occurring throughout the country. Warthogs are
present in some areas of ASF occurrence, and may
play a role in the epidemiology of the disease.
In addition, ticks from the genus Ornithodoros
may also play a role in the transmission of ASFV
infection.
Direct transmission animals with acute or
chronic disease
Direct contact or through carcasses
Warthogs
Domestic pigs
Ornithodoros Ticks
Transovarial / Transtadial transmission
Indirect transmission pork products, fomites,
etc.
Figure 2 Potential transmission pathways of ASF
in Mozambique
Figure 1 Study areas in Mozambique

• General Objectives of the project
• Better understanding of the epidemiology of ASF
  in Mozambique
• Most important factors influencing the spread
  of infection between domestic pigs
• Roles of and interactions between wild swine,
  ticks and domestic pigs for maintenance and
  transmission of the ASF virus
• Development of tools to inform the establishment
  of control measures

• Specific Objectives Methods
• Epidemiological studies on pig production To
  estimate the prevalence of ASF and identify risk
  factors for the introduction of ASFV infection
  into pig herds
• Determination of prevalence with biological
  sampling in the farms and slaughter areas
  (2006/2007)
• Questionnaire-based case-control study to
  identify and quantify risk factors (2007)
• 2) Epidemiological studies on wildlife
• To understand the role of wild reservoirs in
  the transmission of the disease
• Biological sampling on warthogs to evaluate ASFV
  circulation in wild life reservoir (2006/2007)
• Collection of ticks in the field to assess tick
  distribution and ASFV circulation in this host
  (2006/2007)
• Serological tests on domestic/wild pigs to
  investigate contacts with ticks (2006/2007)
• 3) Molecular epidemiology
• Assessment of genetic variability of ASF virus
  isolated from different hosts

"Modern" farms
Vet technitians
Slaughter points
Butcher or local market
Traditional farms
Warthogs
O. moubata
Figure 3 Possible actors and flows involved in
the transmission of ASF
Acknowledgements We thank all collaborators in
Gorongosa and Caia districts without whom this
study would not be possible This study is funded
by the Wellcome Trust
Expected Outputs In each study area Prevalence
of ASF, Risk factors for ASF Risk assessment
for the introduction of ASF in pig farms, Risk
mapping for the sylvatic cycle Simulation of the
impact of control strategies using different
scenarios.