Mechanical transmission of capripox virus and African swine fever virus by Stomoxys calcitrans.

Stomoxys calcitrans can act as an efficient mechanical vector of capripox virus and African swine fever virus. Capripox virus was transmitted to a susceptible goat by flies infected 24 hours previously and the virus survived in some flies for at least four days. African swine fever virus was transmitted to susceptible pigs by flies infected one hour and 24 hours previously and the virus survived in these flies for at least two days without apparent loss of titre.