Conference Abstract
European Biosafety Association (EBSA) 2017

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly resistant viraemic virus with devastating socio-economic impact. Once introduced, prevention of its spread within and between ASF-free areas is of paramount importance. The present epidemiology of ASF in Eastern Europe and Russia warrants increased biosecurity measures, including traffic of pork and pork by-products. Delayed notification of clinical signs in swine premises or introduction of a low-virulent strain cannot be excluded. This could potentially result in the presence of ASFV in veterinary inspected pork from ASF-free regions. This includes abattoir collected porcine blood for manufacture of blood products that are eventually used as feedstuff for swine. Virus inactivation by processing of raw material would overcome the risks entailing the unlikely event that also traceability and timely intervention of product withdrawal would be hampered.