Dynamic variations in infrared skin temperature of weaned pigs experimentally inoculated with the african swine fever virus: A pilot study

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating viral disease in pigs and is therefore economically important for the swine industry. ASF is characterized by a short incubation period and immediate death, making the early identification of ASF-infected pigs essential. This pilot-scale study evaluates whether the infrared thermography (IRT) technique can be used as a diagnostic tool to detect changes in skin temperature (T_sk ) during the early stages of disease development in experimentally ASF-infected pigs. Clinical symptoms and rectal temperatures (T_core ) were recorded daily, and IRT readings during the experimental ASF infection were analyzed. All infected pigs died at 5–8 days post inoculation (dpi), and the incubation period was approximately 4 dpi. The average T_core increased from 0 dpi (38.9 ± 0.3^◦C) to 7 dpi (41.0 ± 0.5^◦C) and decreased by 8 dpi (39.8 ± 0^◦C). The maximum T_sk of ASF-infected pigs increased from 2 (35.0^◦C) to 3 dpi (38.5^◦C). The mean maximum T_sk observed from three regions on the skin (ear, inguinal, and neck) significantly increased from 2 to 3 dpi. This study presents a non-contact method for the early detection of ASF in infected pigs using thermal imaging at 3 days after ASF infection.