The USDA implemented a classical swine fever (CSF) surveillance program in 2006 designed to verify freedom from CSF in U.S. swine and facilitate early detection should the virus be introduced into the U.S. The agency recently offered an update on the level of testing conducted in 2008.
A total of 16,558 samples were tested for CSF in calendar year 2008. Samples were derived from several sources including the diagnostic labs (3217), high risk slaughter animal stream (1307), feral swine (2228) and high risk on-farm animals (mostly garbage feeding farms, 9806). All these samples were confirmed negative.
The clinical signs associated with the mildly virulent forms of the disease resemble diseases commonly observed in swine production thus making a diagnosis in the field difficult. This surveillance program provides an opportunity for early detection by concentrating sampling to populations of animals most at risk for exposure to CSF.
In addition to CSF surveillance, USDA conducted 12 foreign animal disease investigations in 2008. These investigations were also negative.
Source: USDA