Participatory modeling meets African swine fever – Systems Thinking in action

The findings underscore the importance of integrating stakeholder insights into the design of ASF control measures to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. The complexity of the system, as represented by the numerous feedback loops, highlights the need for adaptive and collaborative approaches in managing ASF outbreaks. Moving forward, discussions with scientists and decision-makers will be essential to refine and implement these insights into actionable strategies for effective ASF management. Engaging stakeholders in the modeling process fosters ownership, collaboration, and compliance, which are crucial for successful implementation of ASF control measures. Furthermore, transdisciplinary research is providing valuable insights for regions or countries yet unaffected by ASF, helping them prepare effectively for potential outbreaks.