Molecular Detection of African Swine Fever Virus in Raw Meat and Processed Pork Products from Selected Wet Markets in Samar and Leyte, Philippines

Date

2024

Degree

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Adviser/Committee Chair

Cherry P. Fernandez-Colorado

Co-adviser

John Micheal G. Bernardo

Abstract

Background: African swine fever (ASF) remains a significant threat to the Philippine swine industry. With the absence of a vaccine and specific treatment, the primary means of control and eradication are early diagnosis, stringent biosecurity measures, and depopulation of the infected population. Currently, the Philippines relies on the detection of viral nucleic acids in blood samples for ASF surveillance. However, due to the virus' persistence, particularly in raw meat and pork products, it is essential to explore alternative surveillance methods. Methods: A total of 35 samples from Samar and 30 samples from Leyte of raw meat and processed pork products were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to identify the presence of African Swine Fever Virus (ASFv) nucleic acids. Results: PCR revealed that there were no ASFv-positive samples found in Samar. In Leyte, the overall positivity rate was 26.67% for raw meat and 20% for processed pork products. Conclusion: The positivity of samples in Leyte indicates potential contamination of raw and processed pork products, making the production and supply chain susceptible to possible transmission of the virus. A review on critical control points from the farm level to the marketplace should be considered Keywords: African swine fever, control strategies, epidemiology, persistence, pork products

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Notes

Awards: Carolyn Anne Canda Benigno Award for Best Undergraduate Thesis in Veterinary Epidemiology

Document Type

Thesis

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