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Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious swine-specific disease that has the potential to have a huge economic impact on swine production. CSF is caused by a virus belonging to the Pestivirus genus, which has expanded over the past five years with the discovery of new species whose genetic proximity to the CSF virus could further complicate laboratory diagnosis. The various forms of the disease, and particularly the increased frequency of attenuated forms, linked to CSF virus strains evolving to become less virulent, delay clinical diagnosis. Thus, a long period may elapse before an outbreak is detected, allowing the virus to circulate for longer, with the risk of it spreading to distant geographical areas. Efforts must be maintained in terms of monitoring and the development of diagnostic tools in order to detect CSF virus infection early and thus limit the spread of the disease and facilitate control measures.