As African swine fever virus spreads across the globe, Kansas State University is emerging as a key player in prevention.
Imagine the warm, salty smell of crackling bacon or the sweet and smoky taste of BBQ pulled pork. Now imagine your life without those tasty American staples.
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is threatening swine populations across the world and decreasing the pork supplies that so often decorate our tables.
Stopping the spread
K-State’s Biosecurity Research Institute and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility are working to prevent the spread of this virus and keep it out of the United States Researchers, students and staff are developing rapid diagnostic and response tools.
K-State’s team has been instrumental in identifying issues relating to ASFV in the feed supply chain. They discovered that certain feed ingredients could carry the virus over vast distances, and they’re working to prevent this through improved feed management and biosecurity practices. K-State’s prevention team has collaborated with the USDA to inspire widespread tracking of ASFV by equipping swine producers and veterinarians with strategies for rapid response, prevention and control.
Stopping the virus before it takes hold is vital. K-State is researching ways to develop a preventative vaccine, rapid diagnostic tools and technologies for response in the field. So far, they have developed a point-of-care diagnostic test called PenCheck and improved the systems that collect, process and analyze samples.
Even though the virus has yet to reach United States borders, it’s still a very real threat and K-State is working hard to ensure it never touches American soil. K-State is, quite literally, saving our bacon.
By Kate Ellwood