The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and MatMaCorp completed a successful evaluation of a field-deployable genetic test to detect African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in infected pigs and pork products. As ASF continues to rapidly spread in other parts of the world, scientists at S&T’s Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) sought to evaluate available technologies for rapid detection. [Source: DHS 24 March 2020]
Category Archives: Foreign Animal Disease
USDA Clarifies ASF Action Plan Comments Made During AASV Annual Meeting
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a clarification related to the African swine fever (ASF) action plan it will use should the swine disease be detected in the U.S. [Source: National Hog Farmer 11 March 2020]
USDA Expands Laboratory Capabilities to Test for African Swine Fever
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has stepped up its laboratory capabilities to test for African swine fever, Greg Ibach, USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs announced last week. [Source: National Hog Farmer 2 March 2020]
SHIC Reminds International Travelers to Request Secondary Screening When Appropriate
On February 28, 2020, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) received a report from a person who traveled to Ecuador and visited several pig farms then returned to the US. This person re-entered in Atlanta, declared the farm visits, and was not diverted for secondary screening. This person did not see signage directing this process nor any beagle brigade teams working. International travelers returning to the US, or those arriving from other countries, after visiting a farm or being in contact with animals in a country (or countries) with ASF, or any other foreign animal disease, should declare this information to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) via written form, airport kiosk, or verbally. SHIC, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), National Pork Board (NPB), and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) continue to ask international travelers to report if they were not diverted for secondary screening upon arrival in the United States.
SHIC Soliciting Proposals for ASF Research in Vietnam
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is soliciting proposals to address priorities for African swine fever (ASF) research in Vietnam. SHIC, with active support from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), received a grant from USDA’s Foreign Animal Service division to fund a multi-phase project including swine health field projects in Vietnam, creating the basis for this call for proposals. The Center is interested in supporting US-based researchers with research memorandums of understanding or direct contacts with university or pork production animal health researchers in Vietnam. The objective of these researchable priorities is to help Vietnamese pork production respond and recover from the ASF epidemic and to help US pork producers learn lessons about ASF epidemiology and management, in preparation should the virus enter the US.
Foreign Animal Disease Preparation Bulletin
Read the latest Foreign Animal Disease Preparation Bulletin brought to you by the Pork Checkoff, in collaboration with the National Pork Producers Council, Swine Health Information Center, USDA, and AASV.
SHIC Efforts Assess Tools for Feed Biosecurity Related to CSF and PRV
Significant attention has been given to mitigating the risk of African swine fever virus (ASFV) transmission in feedstuffs. Effective feed biosecurity includes layers and multiple steps, protecting pigs from many disease challenges beyond ASF including classical swine fever (CSF) and pseudorabies virus (PRV). In a recently published study funded by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), researchers’ work to determine the stability of CSF and PRV in feed ingredients under transpacific shipping conditions was detailed and underscores the need for vigilant feed biosecurity processes. Understanding the risk and mitigation of foreign animal diseases such as ASFV, CSFV and PRV in feed and feed ingredients is critical to protecting the health of the US swine herd.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Hosts the National Pork Board
On Jan. 9, members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hosted the National Pork Board’s board of directors and Pork Checkoff staff members at the Miami International Airport to showcase ongoing work its team does every day to help protect the nation from foreign animal disease and plant and animal pests. [Source: National Pork Board]
SHIC Engages with Canadian Group for ASF Research Priorities
Swine Innovation Porc, a non-profit corporation in Canada, facilitates research in the Canadian swine sector. Their goal is enhancing the profitability and sustainability of the Canadian pork industry. In 2019, Swine Innovation Porc developed a Coordinated African Swine Fever (ASF) Research Working Group and the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) was invited to participate. Over six months, the ASF Working Group created an ASF-related research priorities document which was completed in December 2019. The Canadian Pork Council will use the document in its strategic planning activities for ASF. Coordination with our international neighbor proves valuable as both countries work to achieve prevention and preparedness.
Foreign Animal Disease Preparation Bulletin
Read the latest Foreign Animal Disease Preparation Bulletin brought to you by the Pork Checkoff, in collaboration with the National Pork Producers Council, Swine Health Information Center, USDA, and AASV.