# Emergence of African Swine Fever in Sri Lanka, 2024

**Authors:** Aruna Ambagala, Sumathy Puvanendiran, Bhagya Jayathilake, Kalhari Goonewardene, Orie Hochman, Indika Benaragama, Chukwunonso Onyilagha, Gabriel Brawerman, Dustin Maydaniuk, Carissa Embury-Hyatt, Estella Moffat, Anthony V. Signore, Eranga De Seram, Keshan Jayawardana, Thushari Gunawardana, Pradeep Kumarawadu, Kavindra Wijesundera, Hemal Kothalawala

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/v18020157 · Viruses · 2026-01-24

## TL;DR

African swine fever was first detected in Sri Lanka in 2024, with the virus showing genetic similarity to strains in China and Hong Kong.

## Contribution

This study reports the first confirmed case of African swine fever in Sri Lanka and identifies the genotype and geographic origin of the virus.

## Key findings

- ASF was detected in Sri Lanka for the first time in 2024.
- The virus was found to be closely related to strains circulating in China and Hong Kong.
- Histopathology confirmed lymphocyte loss and ASFV antigen staining in infected pigs.

## Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread, threatening the global swine industry and endangered swine species. Sri Lanka is a tropical island situated south of India in the Indian Ocean. Here, we report the first detection of ASF in Sri Lanka. In September 2024, increased pig mortality was reported across the country, with initial confirmation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). Despite vaccination for PRRS, the mortalities continued to increase and therefore, tissue samples collected from dead pigs were subjected to ASF real-time PCR. ASFV genomic material was detected in most of the samples. The real-time PCR-positive samples were then subjected to genotyping by partial genome sequencing. All p72 and p54 sequences were found to be aligned with ASFV genotype II viruses, and CD2v sequences were found to be aligned with ASFV serogroup 8 viruses. The real-time PCR-positive samples were inoculated onto primary porcine leukocytes for virus isolation, and a selected number of tissues collected from dead pigs were subjected to histopathology. Histopathological studies revealed widespread loss of lymphocytes together with inflammation and extensive staining of ASFV antigens in tissue samples. Hemadsorption (HAD)-positive isolates were obtained from seven clinical samples, and three of them were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Phylogeographic analysis of the whole-genome sequences showed that the virus is closely related to ASFV strains circulating in China and Hong Kong.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** African swine fever (MONDO:0025377), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (MONDO:0025494)
- **Species:** China (taxon 3034371)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** B646L (structural protein p72) [NCBI Gene 22220311], DDX17 (DEAD-box helicase 17) [NCBI Gene 10521] {aka P72, RH70}, IFIT2 (interferon induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 2) [NCBI Gene 3433] {aka G10P2, GARG-39, IFI-54, IFI-54K, IFI54, IFIT-2}, POTEF (POTE ankyrin domain family member F) [NCBI Gene 728378] {aka A26C1B, POTE2alpha, POTEACTIN}
- **Diseases:** PRRS (MESH:D019318), deaths (MESH:D003643), necrosis (MESH:D009336), CSF (MESH:D006691), anorexia (MESH:D000855), ASF (MESH:D000357), inflammation (MESH:D007249), Disease (MESH:D004194), injury to (MESH:D014947), hemorrhagic fever (MESH:D006480), fever (MESH:D005334), respiratory distress (MESH:D012128), Vomiting (MESH:D014839), bleeding (MESH:D006470), splenomegaly (MESH:D013163)
- **Chemicals:** H&amp;E (MESH:D006371), dextran (MESH:D003911), F88ASF-55 (-), hydrogen peroxide (MESH:D006861), hematoxylin (MESH:D006416), heparin (MESH:D006493), eosin (MESH:D004801), formalin (MESH:D005557), CO2 (MESH:D002245), agarose (MESH:D012685), paraffin (MESH:D010232), Acid (MESH:D000143), gentamicin (MESH:D005839), Glutamax (MESH:C054122)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Suidae (boars, family) [taxon 9821], Sus scrofa cristatus (subspecies) [taxon 309913], Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Ornithodoros savignyi (species) [taxon 69826], Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (no rank) [taxon 28344], Sus scrofa (pig, species) [taxon 9823], Phacochoerus africanus (Common warthog, species) [taxon 41426], African swine fever virus (no rank) [taxon 10497]
- **Mutations:** I73R, I329L, A137R, E183L

## Full text

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## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944896/full.md

## References

32 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944896/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944896