The ASFV dtec-qPCR comprises a series of species-specific targeted reagents designed for   African swine fever virus       detection by using qPCR. African swine fever virus is the causative agent of African swine fever. It is a large, double-stranded DNA virus which replicates in the cytoplasm of infected cells, and is the only member of the Asfarviridae family.  African swine fever virus is the only virus with a DNA genome transmitted by arthropods. The virus causes a haemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in pigs, but persistently infects its natural hosts, warthogs, bushpigs and soft ticks of the Ornithodoros genus, with no disease signs. Some isolates can cause death of animals within as little as a week after infection. In all other species, the virus causes no obvious disease. African swine fever virus is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and exists in the wild through a cycle of infection between ticks and wild pigs, bushpigs and warthogs. It was first described after European settlers brought pigs into areas endemic with African swine fever virus and, as such, is an example of an ’emerging infection’.