State prepares for Arican Swine Fever
New reports of African Swine Fever occuring in China and other nations appear to be coming weekly.
Dr. Jack Shere is the US Chief Veterinarian says that is why American farmers across the US are adding to their preparedness training with drills to test preparedness for the worst case scenarios.
Dr. Shere says if African Swine Fever does make it to the US or North America, the faster the response, the better the chance of containing the disease
US farmers are taking part in exercises designed by USDA Veterinary Services to identify weaknesses in the ASF response plan.
African swine fever is not contagious to humans, but it's a "severe viral disease of pigs" that can spread very rapidly in herds . Experts say an outbreak could cause pork prices to skyrocket and have serious economic consequences.
China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reported a new case of African swine fever on a farm in the southwestern region. China, the world's top pork producer, has seen its hog herd shrink by a third since the incurable disease arrived in the country more than a year ago.
South Korea has confirmed a new case of African swine fever at a pig farm in a city near Seoul, after the country's first outbreak of the deadly virus in early September.
