More Outbreaks of African Swine Fever, U.S. Prepares

(ROME, ITALY) African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed in six countries and the outbreak continues to wreak havoc on the global swine industry. The latest outbreaks were confirmed in Vietnam and Laos. For Vietnam, ASF has now claimed more than 3.7 million pigs since February 19th, while Laos confirmed their first outbreak on June 20th. In total, the two countries are joined by China, North Korea, Cambodia, and Mongolia according to the United Nation’s (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Though an accurate number of losses in China is unknown, many industry experts believe ASF has led to the death or culling of more than five million head – though officially Chinese authorities report losses at only 1.16 million hogs. ASF is a fatal animal disease affecting pigs and wild boars with up to 100 percent fatality rates. It does not, however, affect humans in any form and is not a food safety issue. There is no treatment or vaccine available for this disease. The only way to stop this disease is to depopulate all affected or exposed swine herds. In September, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will sponsor exercises for the top 14 swine producing states to increase their effectiveness to respond to and mitigate an outbreak of ASF. The states targeted in the drill are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Texas.