Assessing factors influencing susceptibility to African Swine Fever using Ecological and Evolutionary theory

    Project: Research

    Project Details

    Description

    Countries in Europe, Asia and Africa are currently trying to manage the ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) epidemic. The scientific community currently does not properly appreciate (1) the immune responses against the causative virus, (2) the specific role of wild boar as disease reservoirs, (3) and the environmental and behavioural factors influencing population susceptibility to the disease. These remaining questions strongly limit the proper management of this disease. In order to assess naïve wild boar populations for susceptibility, I use a combination of ecological and evolutionary theory, genomics, transcriptomics, body condition measurements and immunoassays. The goal is to be able to predict naïve population susceptibility.

    Layman's description

    Countries in Europe, Asia and Africa are currently trying to manage the ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) epidemic. This disease is incredibly lethal to both pigs and wild boar, and has required some pig farms to euthanize all their animals after an outbreak. One large problem that makes management difficult is that the scientific community does not properly understand why some animals are susceptible and why some are not. My research tries to uncover why some wild boar populations are susceptible. When we can predict what ASF-free wild boar populations are at risk, we can also implement protective measurements to prevent a new outbreak.
    Short titleSusceptibility to ASF using Ecoimmunology
    StatusActive
    Effective start/end date17/10/2217/10/26

    Collaborative partners

    • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (lead)
    • USDA APHIS
    • WU - Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
    • NATIONAL FOOD AND VETERINARY RISK ASSESSMENT INSTITUTE
    • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit
    • Institute of Food safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR"
    • Laura Iacolina
    • Department of Natural and Agricultural Environment Studies, Public Service of Wallonia

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