author(s)
Sangeeta Das, Pankaj Deka, Pubaleem Deka, Krishna Kalita, Taufique Ansari, Ritam Hazarika and Nagendra Nath Barman

abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a fatal viral disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), the only known DNA arbovirus, of family Asfarviridae, genus Asfivirus, which can cause substantial morbidity and mortality events in domestic and wild pigs of all ages and sexes. ASF continues to be a threat to the global pig industry in Africa, Europe and recently in Asia. ASFV can be transmitted by three different modes: direct, indirect, and vector borne. Direct transmission can occur through contact with infected pigs and their products; indirect transmission occurs from contaminated fomites; and vector borne transmission is typically via the Ornithodoros ticks. Depending on the existence of wild reservoirs, competent tick vectors, and geographical characteristics, different epidemiological scenarios exist. The clinical presentations vary from per-acute to chronic disease; including asymptomatic courses according to virulence of viral strains and immune status of the susceptible host. The disease is characterized by sudden death, high fever and haemorrhages in the skin and internal organs with mortality rates approaching up to 100%. Currently, there is no approved vaccine for ASF. The control and eradication measures are based on early detection combined with strict quarantine and biosecurity. In this review, we summarise ASFV with respect to the current global situation, the disease it causes and different epidemiological scenarios including the potential vectors. We discuss the control methods in domestic and wild pigs and the current state in development of vaccines and antivirals against ASFV. Furthermore, existing ASFV research gaps and future perspectives in developing efficacious vaccine for controlling ASF are highlighted briefly.