Epidemiological analysis, risk factors, and spatial-temporal clustering of classical swine fever virus in China

TL;DR

This study analyzed the spread of Classical Swine Fever in China, identifying risk factors and high-risk periods to help control the disease.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the spatial-temporal clustering and risk factors of CSFV in China in 2022.

Findings

The sample-level prevalence of CSFV was 0.25% and farm-level prevalence was 5.08% in 2022.

Risk factors included geographic distribution, quarter, and herd category.

August to September 2022 saw the highest CSFV prevalence, particularly in Northwest China.

Abstract

Classical Swine Fever (CSF), or swine cholera, is a highly acute, febrile, and contagious disease caused by the Classical Swine Fever virus (CSFV) in pigs.

A total of 205,622 samples were collected from 689 pig farms defined as individual production units nationwide across 20 Chinese provinces/cities from January to December 2022. The results showed that at the sample level, the prevalence of CSFV was 0.25% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22% − 0.27%). At the pig farm level, the prevalence of CSFV was 5.08% (95% CI: 3.44% − 6.72%). The risk factors for CSFV infection in pig farms included geographic distribution, quarter, and herd category variables. Eight different temporal groups with a high prevalence of CSFV were also found in China, with the highest prevalence occurring from August to September 2022. Tissue samples and oropharyngeal/nasal swabs showed superior detection rates (1.00% and 0.34%, respectively) and are thus recommended for CSFV surveillance.

In conclusion, this data complements the existing studies on the Chinese CSFV positive rate, risk factors, and temporal clustering. Our findings identify high-risk periods (August – September 2022) and regions (Northwest China), providing targeted strategies for CSFV control.

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