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The impact of African Swine Fever Virus on smallholder village pig production: an outbreak investigation in Lao PDR
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  • Nina Matsumoto,
  • J Siengsanan-Lamont,
  • Tariq Halasa,
  • James Young,
  • Michael Ward,
  • Bounlom douangngeun,
  • Watthana theppangna,
  • Syseng Khounsy,
  • Jenny-Ann Toribio,
  • Russell Bush,
  • S.D. Blacksell
Nina Matsumoto
The University of Sydney

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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J Siengsanan-Lamont
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
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Tariq Halasa
University of Copenhagen
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James Young
The University of Sydney
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Michael Ward
University of Sydney
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Bounlom douangngeun
National Animal Health Laboratory
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Watthana theppangna
National Animal Health Laboratory
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Syseng Khounsy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
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Jenny-Ann Toribio
University of Sydney
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Russell Bush
The University of Sydney
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S.D. Blacksell
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
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Abstract

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) causes a deadly disease of pigs which spread through southeast Asia in 2019. We investigated one of the first outbreaks of ASFV in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic amongst smallholder villages of Thapangtong District, Savannakhet Province. In this study, two ASFV affected villages were compared to two unaffected villages. Evidence of ASFV-like clinical signs appeared in pig herds as early as May 2019, with median epidemic days on 1 and 18 June in the two villages, respectively. Using participatory epidemiology mapping techniques, we found statistically significant spatial clustering in both outbreaks (P < 0.001). Villagers reported known risk factors for ASFV transmission  such as free-ranging management systems and wild boar access  in all four villages. The villagers reported increased pig trader activity from Vietnam before the outbreaks; however, the survey did not determine a single outbreak source. The outbreak caused substantial household financial losses with an average of 9 pigs lost to the disease, and Monte Carlo analysis estimated this to be USD 215 per household. ASFV poses a significant threat to food and financial security in smallholder communities such as Thapangtong, where 40.6% of the district’s population are affected by poverty. This study shows ASFV management in the region will require increased local government resources, knowledge of informal trader activity and wild boar monitoring alongside education and support to address intra-village risk factors such as free-ranging, correct waste disposal and swill feeding.
01 Feb 2021Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
01 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
01 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
02 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
26 Mar 20211st Revision Received
29 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
29 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
30 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Apr 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor