ASF Discovery In Dominican Republic “Very Concerning”

USDA’s confirmation of African Swine Fever in the Dominican Republic has ag leaders in the largest hog-producing state on alert.

Late Wednesday evening, the USDA’s Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed ASF in samples collected from pigs in the Dominican Republic. That has raised the concern of Mike Naig, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, as the Hawkeye State accounts for a third of America’s hog population.

Naig says USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has numerous interlocking safeguards in place to prevent ASF from entering the U.S. Pork and pork products from the Dominican Republic were already prohibited entry as a result of existing classical swine fever restrictions. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection is increasing inspections of flights from the Dominican Republic to ensure travelers do not bring prohibited products to the United States.

Naig says a potential spread of African Swine Fever in the United States would be devastating for farmers and the livestock industry…

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig notes that while African Swine Fever is a serious threat to hogs, the virus cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans.

USDA says it is committed to assisting the Dominican Republic in dealing with ASF, is offering continued testing support, and will consult with them on additional steps or actions to support response and mitigation measures. The agency is also offering similar help to Haiti, which borders the Dominican Republic and is at high risk for ASF detections.

From NAFB News Service