AnimalhealthEurope and our members have joined together with HealthforAnimals, the global animal medicines association, in this Declaration which recognises that African swine fever (ASF) is an unprecedented crisis that threatens animal welfare along with food security and the livelihoods of people around the globe.

ASF is a particularly deadly viral disease with mortality rates up to 100%. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), people cannot contract the disease, however infected pigs will die within 14 days. There is currently no cure nor an effective vaccine.

The virus itself is hardy and can survive on contaminated clothing or in infected meats for weeks, even months, allowing the disease to easily travel across borders. While ASF currently has no cure, our Members and other researchers are working to deliver a safe, effective vaccine. However, the virus is particularly complex, and development will likely take years.

Our Declaration outlines the ASF challenge and a vision for better control while we work towards a vaccine. This includes increasing biosecurity, timely outbreak reporting, leveraging trade measures like compartmentalization, and preparing regulatory systems for vaccine candidates.

Our Members have made clear commitments in this Declaration towards improving ASF management, collaborating with governments, and supporting biosecurity adoption.

The disease cannot be stopped by just one group or sector though, which is why the Declaration also offers clear actions policymakers can undertake to lessen the crisis and spur vaccine development.

We urge all organisations to support this declaration and work towards a world free of African swine fever.