Jennifer Shrike walks through the differences between 2019-CoV and African swine fever viruses in a discussion of sources, risks, similarity and differences. ASF has a DNA genome. CoV has an RNA genome which allows the virus to mutate and change similar to influenza viruses. This is how CoV acquires the ability to infect different tissues and to infect different species of animals, says Linda J. Saif, MS, PhD.
Source: PORK, January 31, 2020. Link. “For many years, coronaviruses have been circulating in humans that cause only mild disease like the common cold,” Saif says. “In fact, most coronaviruses are not deadly, especially in healthy adults. Most healthy adults and adult animals recover from coronavirus infections.”
INSIGHTS: This is good information for animal health pros to refresh basic knowledge of coronaviruses given the current media attention. In swine, ASF is the dominant focus of prevention vigilance.
Also see: Coronavirus, 5 questions answered, The Conversation, January 27, 2020. Link. This is only the third time that we’ve seen a coronavirus jump species from animals to humans.