The African Swine Fever (ASF) virus continues to spread across Asia and Europe. It has not been confirmed in the United States, and the U.S. swine industry is taking several precautionary measures to prevent such an occurrence.
China reported the first cases of African Swine Fever in August. Dave Phyburn serves as senior vice president of science and technology for the National Pork Board (NPB). Phyburn says ?we continue to see an expansion of the virus,? to this day.
?Those countries where African Swine Fever virus is present do not appear to be getting under control. If anything, it?s expanding further,? Phyburn said. ?In fact, today (Friday, January 11th) there was an expansion of the control zone in Belgium, for this virus, because they realized it got beyond the borders of the current control zone in the southern portion of Belgium.?
Phyburn says United States pork producers should ?be concerned? about the active spread of this virus. However, he adds the United States pork industry is doing everything within its means to ensure this virus does not enter the country.
The National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), American Association of Swine Veterinarians and Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) had members provide U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer Jack Shere recommendations for preventing this virus from entering the United States.
?We talked about border awareness. When I talk about ?border,? I?m talking about anywhere we could have meat products or contaminated fomites for the virus being brought into the country. For us, that?s primarily going to be airports,? Phyburn said. ?We talked about inspections of tourists and cargo brought into the United States.?
Since, border and customers control has amplified inspection efforts. Phyburn applauds these efforts, as flights coming in from Asia remain of top concern in regards to African Swine Fever entering the United States.
The United States swine industry also emphasized the need for a surveillance program, as well as additional diagnostic capabilities.
?We don?t have an active surveillance program for African Swine Fever in this country, at this time. That?s being drafted by USDA,? Phyburn said. ?Along with that, we need additional diagnostic capabilities. The USDA has worked on expanding the samples that we can use to diagnose this virus, as well as the method of sampling, such as saliva, or oral fluid sampling.?
In addition, the U.S. swine industry continues to craft exercises for response. Stay tuned to the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network for crisis plans, created by the National Pork Board and other industry proponents.
