Detection of African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) in Selected Urban and Rural Public Markets in South Luzon, Philippines

Abstract

The African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is an arbovirus infecting pigs causing high mortality. Its high transmissibility leading to its prevalence and spread in the Philippines, poses a threat to local food security. Controlling the spread of ASFV necessitates constant surveillance and monitoring. However, current efforts are only focused on farm-based monitoring and diagnostics of pigs suspected of ASFV infection without including pork products sold in public markets in routine surveillance of ASFV. This study aimed to detect ASFV in pork products sold in the public markets of South Luzon, Philippines. Pig muscle meats sold in public markets were subjected to DNA extraction, and real-time PCR (qPCR) amplification of p72 and ACTB genes were used to identify ASFV-positive samples. Samples from the provinces of Metro Manila and Batangas were found to be negative for ASFV-infected meat, while the Province of Quezon was found to have ASFV-infected meat in four different public markets. Comparison of the presence of ASF between urban and rural public markets showed that ASFV-positive meat products were present in rural public markets, while ASFV was not found in meat sold in urban public markets. Results of this study illustrate the need for periodic screening of pork products for ASFV in public markets in the Philippines as part of control efforts against the spread of the virus.