Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness/African Swine Fever
To prevent the spread of disease in Canadian swine herds, and to protect Canada's export markets, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency enforces adherence to strict controls and quarantine measures at borders to ensure no diseased animals or contaminated pork products enter Canada or are exported.
LEARN MORE on federally reportable swine diseases: Federally reportable diseases for terrestrial animals in Canada - Canadian Food Inspection Agency
African Swine Fever
African swine fever (ASF) poses a serious threat to Canada’s pork industry and the Canadian economy. This disease has no vaccine or cure and results in high mortalities in pig herds.
What is African Swine Fever?
(ASF) is a serious and contagious viral disease that affects pigs of all ages. ASF can spread through direct or indirect contact and causes high mortality. It can persist for a long time in the environment and in a variety of swine products. This disease has no vaccine or cure and results in high mortalities in pig herds. ASF Overview one pager April 2019.pdf (cpc-ccp.com)
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is currently monitoring the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in other parts of the world. This is a serious and deadly disease affecting pigs for which there is no vaccine or cure.
LEARN MORE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyQ4t1wHl2M
Sask Pork, along with other members of the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), industry and government representatives continue to work collaboratively both at the national and provincial level to address various aspects of this disease.
Remember: ASF is a reportable disease, meaning veterinarians, producers, and farm staff are required to contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) immediately if the disease is suspected.
Can Humans Become Sick from ASF?
Humans are not susceptible to the disease but can spread the virus through contaminated clothes or equipment and imported meat products. Feral pigs and European wild boar are equally susceptible to ASF. This disease has no vaccine or cure and results in high mortalities in pig herds. ASF has been found in other countries but not in Canada or the U.S.
How Can We Prevent ASF from Entering Canada?
The pork industry is working in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to prevent African Swine Fever from entering the country. Risk pathways include weak biosecurity protocols and contaminated animal feed or feed ingredients coming in from ASF infected countries.
LEARN MORE: ASF To DO(3).pdf (cpc-ccp.com)
ASF Surveillance
CanSpotASF
CanSpotASF provides enhanced surveillance to protect the swine sector from the impacts of African swine fever. The primary goal of CanSpotASF is early detection so that ASF can be quickly contained and to minimize negative impacts.
African swine fever (ASF) can cause severe disease and mortality in swine. ASF is not present in Canada at this time, however outbreaks in other parts of the world and international movement of people and goods increases the risk that the disease could arrive in Canada. If ASF is introduced in any pig in Canada, borders will close, and trade of live pigs and pork products will stop.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CanSpotASF: CanSpotASF One Page Overview
Risk-based early detection testing at approved laboratories is the first new surveillance tool to be implemented as part of CanSpotASF. It will allow approved laboratories to conduct ASF testing on certain diagnostic cases when requested by a veterinarian or pathologist.
LEARN MORE - for producers: CanSpotASF Description for Producers
LEARN MORE - for veterinarians: CanSpotASF Description for Veterinarians
LEARN MORE - technical information about risk-based abattoir condemnation testing: CanSpotASF Abattoir Condemnation Testing - Technical Document
LEARN MORE - an overview for abattoir managers about risk-based condemnation testing: CanSpotASF Abattoir Condemnation Testing - Description for Plant Managers
CanSpotASF annual reports:
CanSpotASF Annual Report - 2021/22
For Current Information and Resources Visit
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
ASF Resources - Printables | Canadian Pork Council (cpc-ccp.com)