African swine fever is making its way around the world, and meat processors and agricultural officials in the United States are hard at work to ensure they are prepared for a possible outbreak of the highly contagious viral disease.
Last month, Tyson Foods, the US department of agriculture, the Iowa department of agriculture and other industry groups conducted scenario simulations to practice responding to a possible African swine fever outbreak in the country.
The US department of agriculture’s animal and plant health inspection service is monitoring the disease’s progress around the globe, according to Rosemary Sifford.
“Dominican Republic and Haiti right now are our biggest concern in terms of proximity of the virus to the United States and the risk level. But we do also still recognise the risk level for products and people moving from other countries that have the virus in Asia and Europe,” Sifford said, according to Radio Iowa.
Representatives encourage transporters to wash trucks as soon as they leave any packing plant to avoid contaminating farms. It is one of a number of biosecurity measures currently being advocated.
No vaccine has been developed against African swine fever. Pigs can die from it and economies may suffer as a result.
Pork imports from countries where the disease has been confirmed are prohibited in several countries.
ALSO READ: African swine fever: Farmers schooled on dangers
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