The First African Swine Fever Viruses Detected in Wild Boar in Hong Kong, 2021–2023

This study represents the first report on the detection and whole-genome sequencing of African swine fever (ASF) viruses in wild boar in Hong Kong in 2021–2023. Wild boar samples collected via an ASF surveillance program by the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department were tested for ASF...

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Main Authors: Karina W. S. Tam, Candy C. Y. Lau, Timothy T. L. Ng, Sin Ming Ip, Sin Fat Pun, Amanda Corla, Carrie Batten, Christopher J. Brackman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/896
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Summary:This study represents the first report on the detection and whole-genome sequencing of African swine fever (ASF) viruses in wild boar in Hong Kong in 2021–2023. Wild boar samples collected via an ASF surveillance program by the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department were tested for ASF viruses (ASFVs) using real-time polymerase chain reaction. ASF-positive carcasses were detected in four cases and hemadsorption, virus isolation, and whole-genome sequencing were conducted. The <i>B646L</i> gene, <i>E183L</i> gene, central variable region within the <i>B602L</i> gene, intergenic region between the <i>I73R</i> and <i>I329L</i> genes, <i>EP420R</i> gene, and multigene family members of the four ASFV strains were compared. The whole-genome phylogenetic relationships were studied. The comparative analysis of the genomes indicates that the ASFVs in these four cases have genetic similarities to Asian genotype II ASFVs, but are genetically distinct from each other, as well as the ASFV previously identified in a domestic pig farm in Hong Kong in 2021.
ISSN:1999-4915