This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
The Complexities of African Swine Fever Diagnosis and Control in the Developing World: A Narrative Review Focused on Ghana
by
, , , , , and
Ben Enyetornye
1,2,3,
Francis Dogodzi
3,4,5,
Aurelle Yondo
1,
Shaun van den Hurk
1,
Kaitlyn Freeman
1,
Jehadi Osei-Bonsu
6,
Patrick Amponsah
7, 
Theophilus Odoom
3,8
,
Nicole L. Gottdenker
2,* and
Binu T. Velayudhan
1,*
1
Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
2
Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
3
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG139, Ghana
4
Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
5
Livestock and Poultry Research Centre, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
6
Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
7
Kumasi Veterinary Laboratory, Veterinary Services Directorate, Kumasi P.O. Box 1252, Ghana
8
Accra Veterinary Laboratory, Veterinary Services Directorate, Accra P.O. Box M161, Ghana
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2025, 15(23), 3448; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15233448 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 25 October 2025
/
Revised: 25 November 2025
/
Accepted: 26 November 2025
/
Published: 29 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue African Swine Fever Virus Transmission and Control: The Role of Wild and Domestic Suids—2nd Edition)
Simple Summary
African swine fever (ASF) is a major disease threat to pig production in many parts of the world, especially in Africa, where the disease is very common. In this review, we discussed diagnostic options, factors, and challenges associated with African swine fever diagnosis and control in developing countries, using Ghana as a case study. We proposed applying a multi-sectoral approach in ASF control in Ghana and the use of rapid diagnostic kits by field veterinarians in order to make informed decisions while awaiting laboratory confirmation.
Abstract
African swine fever is a highly contagious and deadly disease of both domestic and wild pigs. In developing countries such as Ghana, the diagnosis and control of ASF are very challenging. In this paper, we discussed factors that account for ASF endemicity in many developing nations, with special focus on Ghana. We identified possible ASF spread via pig value chain through the transportation of live pigs across regions in Ghana. Major factors contributing to ASF spread in Ghana include lack of farmer compensation during ASF outbreaks, free range system of pig farming, porous country borders, lack of rapid on-site diagnostic test kits, unsafe sample collection and transportation to diagnostic laboratories, long diagnostic test turnaround, and improper carcass disposal. We also discuss available diagnostic options for ASF and their limitations. We propose a more holistic approach to ASF control in Ghana. These measures include applying a muti-sectoral approach, rehabilitation of inactive regional laboratories and expansion of services to six newly established regions, promoting point of care testing and developing and implementing farmer compensation plan during outbreaks. These proposed ASF control measures will provide field veterinarians with effective means to make informed decisions while awaiting laboratory confirmation of outbreaks.
Keywords:
African swine fever (ASF); control; diagnosis; Ghana
