U of M researchers lead major breakthrough to combat African swine fever

February 9, 2023

University of Minnesota researchers recently led successful efforts to work on African swine fever virus (ASFV) and developed and validate a surrogate virus for ASFV, a disease that has devastated pig populations and pork production in countries around the world. The lab’s work represents a major breakthrough in efforts to develop effective mitigation strategies to control ASFV and keep it from entering North America. 

The team, led by Gerald Shurson, PhD, a professor in animal science, and Declan Schroeder, PhD, an associate professor from the College of Veterinary Medicine, used a novel testing method to measure and compare the two viruses based on their ability to survive and potentially become infectious under various environmental conditions. Read the full news release.