Latest News From African Swine Fever

New Study Examines How African Swine Fever Virus Replicates
New Study Examines How African Swine Fever Virus Replicates

Scientists have taken a major step forward in understanding how African swine fever virus genes are controlled and expressed, helping the global pork industry advance understanding of this deadly disease of swine.

Lawmakers Urged to Support Dog Importation and Rural Veterinary Shortage Legislation
Lawmakers Urged to Support Dog Importation and Rural Veterinary Shortage Legislation

Veterinarian advocates are urging congressional offices to support and cosponsor the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act and include the Healthy Dog Importation Act in the new farm bill. Here's why.

The Truth About African Swine Fever Around the Globe
The Truth About African Swine Fever Around the Globe

ASF has been detected in over 50 countries in recent years, and it continues to spread. Although this deadly disease may seem miles away, the urgency to protect the U.S. from ASF has never been greater.

African Swine Fever Outbreaks in Hong Kong Could Increase Need for Pork Imports
African Swine Fever Outbreaks in Hong Kong Could Increase Need for Pork Imports

A persistent series of African swine fever outbreaks in Hong Kong could heighten the need for imported pork, says USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. He just returned from a market visit to Hong Kong.

China Lifts Five-Year Ban on Belgium Pork over African Swine Fever
China Lifts Five-Year Ban on Belgium Pork over African Swine Fever

China's customs on Friday lifted a five-year ban on pig and pork products from Belgium that was implemented because of an outbreak of African swine fever in 2018.

Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program Tops SHIC Accomplishments in 2023
Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program Tops SHIC Accomplishments in 2023

There's no question the Swine Health Information Center got a lot done in 2023, and plans are underway to make 2024 even more productive. Here's an inside look with SHIC executive director Megan Niederwerder.

Research Safeguards U.S. Pork Industry from African Swine Fever
Research Safeguards U.S. Pork Industry from African Swine Fever

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funding supports researchers who are developing surveillance, prevention and preparedness methods for the highly infectious animal disease, African swine fever.

Restrictions Imposed on Swine and Swine Commodities of Bangladesh Due to African Swine Fever
Restrictions Imposed on Swine and Swine Commodities of Bangladesh Due to African Swine Fever

Effective Nov. 22, 2023, and until further notice, the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services is restricting the importation live swine, swine germplasm and unprocessed products and by-products from Bangladesh.

Have A Plan for Disaster, Hope You Never Need It
Have A Plan for Disaster, Hope You Never Need It

When it comes to preventing a FAD at your operation, remember you are not on your own. There are three levels that must work together to achieve success.

Hong Kong to Cull 900 Pigs Amid Outbreak of Deadly African Swine Fever
Hong Kong to Cull 900 Pigs Amid Outbreak of Deadly African Swine Fever

Hong Kong authorities have ordered the culling of more than 900 pigs after detecting the presence of the deadly African swine fever in animals at a licensed farm in the New Territories district.

How Has ASF Affected China and the Global Pork Market?
How Has ASF Affected China and the Global Pork Market?

Not only has ASF rocked China’s pork supply, but pork prices more than doubled to reach record levels. A new report investigates the degree to which China’s reduced pork supply affected pork-exporting countries.

A 2024 Health Outlook for the U.S. Swine Industry
A 2024 Health Outlook for the U.S. Swine Industry

For the U.S. swine industry, 2023 has been a year most farmers would like to forget. However, this time, it's not because of disease issues. Here are three predictions for pig health in 2024 by Pipestone's Joel Nerem.

10 African Swine Fever Research Projects Wrap Up in Vietnam
10 African Swine Fever Research Projects Wrap Up in Vietnam

Results of African swine fever research in Vietnam are helping inform prevention and preparedness efforts for the U.S. pork industry while helping with response and recovery efforts for the ASF epidemic in Vietnam.  

Researchers Confirm There Are Only Six Unique Strains of African Swine Fever Virus
Researchers Confirm There Are Only Six Unique Strains of African Swine Fever Virus

Fewer unique genotypes than the ASF research community first believed means there is less diversity of ASF virus affecting communities across the globe, USDA researchers say.

Australian and U.S. Scientists Team Up on New African Swine Fever Vaccine
Australian and U.S. Scientists Team Up on New African Swine Fever Vaccine

Australian researchers are teaming up with U.S. company MBF Therapeutics to evaluate an African swine fever vaccine candidate. 

Hong Kong Culls 5,600 Pigs After African Swine Fever Discovered
Hong Kong Culls 5,600 Pigs After African Swine Fever Discovered

Hong Kong authorities on Thursday ordered the culling of around 5,600 pigs in a herd after the African swine fever (ASF) virus was discovered at a local pig farm.

Methods to Protect Feed from Foreign Animal Disease
Methods to Protect Feed from Foreign Animal Disease

Although foreign animal disease may be more likely to enter the country with the animals themselves, feed – including soybeans and corn – also raise concern in the livestock industry. Here are three ways to lessen risk.

Hong Kong Authorities Discover ASF Outbreak on Farm
Hong Kong Authorities Discover ASF Outbreak on Farm

A new outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was discovered on a farm in Hong Kong.

African Swine Fever: WOAH Warns Pork Industry Not to Use Sub-Standard Vaccines
African Swine Fever: WOAH Warns Pork Industry Not to Use Sub-Standard Vaccines

African swine fever is not slowing down it's deadly spread around the globe. The World Organisation for Animal Health shares concerns about the use of sub-standard vaccines and urges the pork industry not to settle.

 K-State is Now On a Mission to Estimate the Potential Economic Losses From Possible Foreign Animal Diseases
K-State is Now On a Mission to Estimate the Potential Economic Losses From Possible Foreign Animal Diseases

A team at K-State has been chosen by the World Organisation of Animal Health to lead an international effort that will develop decision-making tools and improve communication on the economic impacts of animal diseases.

PRRS Breakthrough: Virus Can Survive and Be Transmitted Through Feed
PRRS Breakthrough: Virus Can Survive and Be Transmitted Through Feed

When the sows stopped eating, the farm manager closed the feed line, preserved the feed in the bin, and called Scott Dee out to the farm. Little did Dee know that he was about to discover PRRS virus can live in feed.

It's Time to Raise User Fees Within Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Program, NPPC Says
It's Time to Raise User Fees Within Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Program, NPPC Says

It's time to raise user feeds within the Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) program, NPPC says. The last fee increase was in 2015. The current fees no longer generate enough revenue to cover program costs.

ASF Preparedness Toolbox: Have You Seen These Recent Updates?
ASF Preparedness Toolbox: Have You Seen These Recent Updates?

USDA APHIS recently updated several response plans and templates for the pork industry to utilize in the case of an African swine fever outbreak. Here's a look at what's new.

6 Ways USDA APHIS is at Work to Protect Your Pigs
6 Ways USDA APHIS is at Work to Protect Your Pigs

Keeping U.S. animals healthy is a top priority for the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Here's a look at six ways APHIS is at work to protect the U.S. swine herd. 

China Opens Up Imports of Pork from Parts of Russia
China Opens Up Imports of Pork from Parts of Russia

China has cleared the way for imports of pork from regions of Russia without African swine fever (ASF), its customs agency said in a statement on Thursday.

US SHIP Delegates Elect First General Conference Committee
US SHIP Delegates Elect First General Conference Committee

Delegates voted on the first General Conference Committee that will serve as the federal advisory committee to USDA on swine health and the administration of US SHIP upon codification to a USDA program.

Experts Search for Cause of African Swine Fever Outbreak in Sweden
Experts Search for Cause of African Swine Fever Outbreak in Sweden

Experts are still trying to determine the origin of the African swine fever outbreak in Sweden, a minor pork exporter that holds only 1% of the swine herd in the European Union. 

USDA's Third Annual African Swine Fever Action Week Set to Begin Oct. 2
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. Here's how to stay connected.

Over 30,000 Pigs Culled in Italy's North to Counter African Swine Fever
Over 30,000 Pigs Culled in Italy's North to Counter African Swine Fever

Almost 34,000 pigs at 12 farms in the northern Italian region of Lombardy have been culled to counter the spread of African swine fever, a spokesperson for the region said on Wednesday.

Foreign Animal Disease: The Threat Isn’t Going Away for Pork Producers
Foreign Animal Disease: The Threat Isn’t Going Away for Pork Producers

Although there is no shortage of topics the U.S. pork industry needs to wrap its head around right now, National Pork Producers Council CEO Bryan Humphreys says foreign animal disease continues to be a high priority.

African Swine Fever Strikes in Sweden for First Time Ever
African Swine Fever Strikes in Sweden for First Time Ever

A dead wild boar in Sweden has tested positive for African swine fever (ASF). This is the first time for the deadly ASF virus to rear its head in this country, Sweden's Veterinary Institute said on Wednesday.

Federal Agents Seize Shipments with Over a Half Ton of Prohibited Pork
Federal Agents Seize Shipments with Over a Half Ton of Prohibited Pork

More than 1,000 pounds of pork were intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Louisville Port of Entry. Here's what

A New Toxicant Tool Decreases Feral Hog Populations in Texas
A New Toxicant Tool Decreases Feral Hog Populations in Texas

Explosive numbers, deadly destruction, devastating economic impact. Is it possible to control the spiraling feral hog population in Texas? A new study shows a warfarin-based toxicant could help.

Breakthrough Discovery: Potential to Develop ASF-Resistant Pigs
Breakthrough Discovery: Potential to Develop ASF-Resistant Pigs

Scientists have illuminated a critical gene within pigs that plays a pivotal role in the infection process of the African Swine Fever virus, which opens up avenues for developing ASF-resistant pigs.

African Swine Fever Strikes New Province in the Philippines
African Swine Fever Strikes New Province in the Philippines

African swine fever continues its march around the globe. The deadly swine virus has now reached Cocoro Island, located in the municipality of Magsaysay in Palawan in the Philippines. 

Agents Seize Snake Oil and Prohibited Pork at Dulles Airport
Agents Seize Snake Oil and Prohibited Pork at Dulles Airport

There’s never a dull moment for U.S. Customs and Border Protection ag specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport. Here's a look at two recent seizures from travelers arriving from Vietnam.

Researchers Explore Safe African Swine Fever Vaccine Solutions
Researchers Explore Safe African Swine Fever Vaccine Solutions

Here's a look at a new project focused on African swine fever vaccine development could help the global food supply.

A Sport Utility Vehicle for Disease: Wild Pigs Wreak Havoc in Louisiana
A Sport Utility Vehicle for Disease: Wild Pigs Wreak Havoc in Louisiana

"Basically, a pig has a 3-inch environmental vacuum on the front of his face. Anything in front of it is going down. A lot of that damage goes unseen by the public eye,” says William Futch in Feral Swine in America.

SHIC Weighs in on First Commercially Approved African Swine Fever Vaccines
SHIC Weighs in on First Commercially Approved African Swine Fever Vaccines

U.S. experts weigh in on the world's first commercial vaccines against African swine fever and the challenges that still exist.

Unleash Your Inner Biosecurity Photographer: Enter the "I Protect Pigs" Photo Contest
Unleash Your Inner Biosecurity Photographer: Enter the "I Protect Pigs" Photo Contest

Calling all aspiring pig enthusiasts and biosecurity buffs! Grab your camera and get ready to participate in USDA’s APHIS “I Protect Pigs” photo contest, showing how you protect your pigs from African swine fever! 

Vietnam to Export 2 Million ASF Vaccine Doses to Philippines by October
Vietnam to Export 2 Million ASF Vaccine Doses to Philippines by October

Vietnam will export two million vaccine doses against African swine fever to the Philippines by October, one week after it approved domestic use of the world's first commercial vaccines against the disease.

Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia Fight African Swine Fever, Ask for Help
Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia Fight African Swine Fever, Ask for Help

An outbreak of the African swine fever has forced pig breeders in Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia to cull thousands of pigs since June and is putting pressure on governments to compensate farmers for their losses.

Vietnam Approves Commercial Use of First African Swine Fever Vaccines
Vietnam Approves Commercial Use of First African Swine Fever Vaccines

Vietnam has approved the domestic commercial use of two home-grown vaccines against African swine fever (ASF), the government said on Monday, making them the world's first commercial vaccines against the deadly disease.

Show Pig Industry Gathers to Discuss ASF Prevention and Preparedness
Show Pig Industry Gathers to Discuss ASF Prevention and Preparedness

The U.S. pork industry has a plan to help keep foreign animal diseases like African swine fever (ASF) out of the country, but it requires everyone in the pork industry to do their part.

Traveling? Don't Forget to Report Lack of Secondary Screening
Traveling? Don't Forget to Report Lack of Secondary Screening

Social media feeds full of vacation photos from around the world are a reminder that international travel is picking back up. Don't forget to report your production ag traveler experiences going through customs.

New Center at Kansas State University to Drive Innovation in Animal Vaccines and Antimicrobial Alternatives
New Center at Kansas State University to Drive Innovation in Animal Vaccines and Antimicrobial Alternatives

Launching the new Center on Vaccine Evaluation and Alternatives for Antimicrobials, or CVEAA, Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine aims to support animal vaccine development and usage.

Bosnia Reports African Swine Fever Outbreak
Bosnia Reports African Swine Fever Outbreak

Bosnia has reported an outbreak of African swine fever.

World's First Vaccine Against Deadly African Swine Fever Nears Approval in Vietnam
World's First Vaccine Against Deadly African Swine Fever Nears Approval in Vietnam

Vaccines against ASF being tested in Vietnam are close to approval, global and U.S. veterinary officials said, in what would be a major breakthrough to tackle the deadly disease regularly ravaging pig farms worldwide.

From Farms to Borders: Ensuring Biosecurity in the Pork Industry
From Farms to Borders: Ensuring Biosecurity in the Pork Industry

From canines at U.S. entry points to workers on the farm, biosecurity is not taken lightly across the pork industry with foreign animal disease prevention and response being a top priority.

Sol the Agriculture Detection Dog: A U.S. Hero
Sol the Agriculture Detection Dog: A U.S. Hero

Although he’s motivated by treats and can charm just about anyone, don’t let this dog fool you. Sol is a highly driven beagle who plays a critical role in protecting U.S. agriculture.