USDA's Third Annual African Swine Fever Action Week Set to Begin Oct. 2
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is gearing up for its third annual African Swine Fever (ASF) Action Week, scheduled to take place from Oct. 2 to Oct. 6, and extends a warm invitation to U.S. swine producers, small-scale farms and pig owners to participate in this vital initiative. This event aims to educate and inform stakeholders about ASF while emphasizing the essential measures they can take to safeguard the U.S. swine herd, notes a recent USDA release.
Although African Swine Fever has never been detected within U.S. borders, heightened vigilance is crucial. Since its detection in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2021, the USDA has been working closely with industry partners and states to fortify existing protective measures, ensuring the resilience of the U.S. swine industry, notes the release.
Dr. Rosemary Sifford, APHIS Veterinary Services deputy administrator and chief veterinary officer, emphasizes the urgency of prevention in the release: "The longer ASF circulates globally, the greater the threat to the U.S. swine industry. Prevention is our best investment. If introduced here, ASF would devastate the pig herds that Americans and our trading partners rely on for food. And, if it were to become endemic, it could take us more than 10 years and about $75 billion to eradicate."
Throughout the week, APHIS will be active on Twitter, Facebook and its website, sharing insights into APHIS's proactive measures and how producers can contribute to Protect Our Pigs. Additional informative updates from APHIS and industry collaborators on the latest ASF Preparedness initiatives, as well as the announcement of winners in the "I Protect Pigs" photo contest will be shared.
Through the Protect Our Pigs campaign, USDA is dedicated to raising awareness about ASF, facilitating rapid information sharing among producers and veterinarians to safeguard their herds and livelihoods, notes the release. Valuable resources, including tailor-made videos, downloadable materials and interactive training guides, can be accessed on the Protect Our Pigs website.
