African swine fever (ASF), also known as "peste porcina africana" (PPA), "peste porcine africaine" (PPA) or "peste suina africana" (PSA) is one of the most complicated diseases affecting pigs.
It appears in different clinical forms. The acute and subacute forms are similar to other porcine haemorrhagic diseases, especially Classical Swine Fever and Erysipelas. Thereby laboratory diagnosis is essential.
In countries where ASF is endemic, the incidence of less virulent viruses causes an increase in subacute and subclinical forms, with more moderate mortality. The latter are of great epidemiological importance as they produce innaparent carriers that maintain the disease in swine.
