African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral pig disease. It can spread very quickly in pig populations through direct or indirect contact. There is no vaccine or treatment available.
There is no evidence that ASF can infect humans.
The U.S. is an ASF-free region, but if an outbreak is suspected, then a veterinarian should be contacted immediately.
U.S. pork producers must take the necessary steps to protect their farms and the domestic pork industry from the threat of ASF. If a foreign animal disease such as ASF enters the U.S., it would likely eliminate our entire export market to zero for an unknown amount of time.
Anyone who works with pigs should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of ASF:
Immediately report animals with any of these signs to your herd veterinarian or to your state or federal animal health officials. Or, you may call USDA’s toll-free number at 866-536-7593 for appropriate testing and investigation. Timeliness is essential to preventing the spread of ASF.
This general checklist will help pork producers prepare for a potential ASF or other foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak in the U.S.
Specific plans and requirements will vary by state.
To receive indemnity payments from USDA APHIS, producers must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. This no-cost process may take time, so take action now.
→ Register your farm business at sam.gov. You must do this annually.
Animal health officials need the physical locations of production sites in disease control areas to quickly communicate important disease control information.
These Premises Identification Numbers (PINs) are used to link site data and information (production and movement records, diagnostics, permits, etc.) so it can be easily analyzed by animal health officials for rapid decision-making.
Basic movement record forms can be found in the Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus) education handbook. However, having these records in an electronic format is preferred (e.g., AgView).
→ Get a separate PIN for each production site
→ Ensure all PINs are geolocated to the site where the pigs are housed
→ Include PINs on all animal movements, semen shipments and diagnostic submissions
→ Record all human, vehicle and equipment movement on and off each site
→ Create an AgView account and upload pig movement data.
Resources are available at securepork.org to assist with onsite preparedness.
→ Create a site-specific biosecurity plan, which can be shared upon request
→ Implement enhanced biosecurity measures included in the plan
→ Train all production employees on clinical signs of FADs, including ASF
→ Observe pigs daily for FAD clinical signs, document and report concerns
→ Perform diagnostic testing as directed by your herd veterinarian
→ Develop welfare and disposal (normal mortality) plans in case of a stop movement order
Work with your herd veterinarian and appropriate state agencies to develop depopulation and disposal plans.
→ Work with your state’s environmental agency to develop an authorized disposal plan, as it may dictate the depopulation options for your farm
→ Determine required resources necessary for the identified depopulation and disposal methods
→ Locate potential sources for equipment/supplies
According to a 2020 study completed by economists at Iowa State University, the economic impact of a hypothetical African swine fever (ASF) outbreak could cost the pork industry more than $50 billion over 10 years.
Use these resources to take steps in preventing and preparing for foreign animal disease.
Go to securepork.org
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NPB collaborates with partners to prevent African swine fever from entering the U.S. and prepare the pork industry for how to respond if it does.
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