African Swine Fever (ASF) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) are not necessarily new news. However, there is still much work being done to keep these diseases off our shores. With China?s recent resurgence of ASF, it has many wondering what progress has been made in our continued fight against these diseases.
The National Pork Board (NPB) has an update.
Dr. David Pyburn is the Chief Veterinarian with the National Pork Board. He says that they are working on a new risk assessment to determine what future steps are going to be taken to keep Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD) off our shore.
Pyburn restated the devastation that could hit hog herds around the country if FADs do not go unchecked. He cites recent calculations from Dermot Hayes of Iowa State University about the damage it would cause to the American economy.
Pyburn says that the main goal is keeping the diseases from entering our country. Education, inspection, and sanitation are still the primary focuses of any disease prevention tool.
The National Pork Board says there will be much information and education available at the 2021 World Pork Expo, in Des Moines, June 9th-11th. You can also find biosecurity information online at www.porkcheckoff.org.
