African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease that affects pigs. It is a major threat to the global pork industry, and has caused significant economic losses in affected countries. ASF can be transmitted through direct contact between infected and healthy pigs, or through contact with contaminated feed or other materials.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign demonstrated how certain feed additives can help mitigate the risk of ASF transmission through feed. The study, which was published in the journal "Transboundary and Emerging Diseases," found that a combination of two feed additives—sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate—was effective in reducing the infectivity of ASF virus in feed.

The researchers tested the effectiveness of the feed additives by adding them to feed that was contaminated with ASF virus. They then fed the contaminated feed to pigs, and monitored the pigs for signs of infection. They found that the pigs that were fed the feed with the additives were less likely to become infected with ASF than the pigs that were fed the feed without the additives.

The researchers believe that the feed additives work by disrupting the structure of the ASF virus, making it less infectious. They also believe that the additives may help to improve the immune response of the pigs, making them less susceptible to infection.

The study provides new evidence that feed additives can be an effective way to mitigate the risk of ASF transmission through feed. This is important information for pork producers, as it could help them to protect their herds from this devastating disease.

Additional Information

* ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease that affects pigs.

* ASF can be transmitted through direct contact between infected and healthy pigs, or through contact with contaminated feed or other materials.

* The study found that a combination of two feed additives—sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate—was effective in reducing the infectivity of ASF virus in feed.

* The researchers believe that the feed additives work by disrupting the structure of the ASF virus, making it less infectious.

* The study provides new evidence that feed additives can be an effective way to mitigate the risk of ASF transmission through feed.