•African swine fever emerged in several European and Asian countries.•Review of current knowledge of African swine fever (ASF).•Focus on ASF virology, clinical disease, epidemiology, diagnosis, vaccines, and control.•Control has to integrate all stakeholders.•Discussion of ASF controversies and knowledge gaps. African swine fever (ASF) is a viral hemorrhagic disease with exceptionally high lethality in domestic pigs and Eurasian wild boar. Over the last decade, ASF has emerged in several European and Asian countries and has now an unprecedented distribution. Against this background, the presented review focuses on current knowledge and advances in ASF virology, clinical disease upon infection with recent strains, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control. This review highlights knowledge gaps and controversial opinions related to ASF.