Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and feral pigs with variable clinical signs and death rates. The causative agent is an enveloped virus that belongs to the genus Pestivirus within the Flaviviridae family. CSF is an OIE list A disease with more or less worldwide distribution. It is endemic in Asia, Central and South America, parts of Europe, and Africa. CSF outbreaks cause considerable economic losses impeding trade of pigs and pig products.
Control measures that have to be taken in case of an outbreak within the EU are defined in Council Directive 2001/89/EC.
Diagnostic procedures are put into writing in the Diagnostic Manual and the accompanying technical part. To ensure the continuity of the coordination of diagnostic work the “Institut für Virologie der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover” was confirmed as Community Reference Laboratory for CSF.