Last week African Swine Fever was detected in a 73,000 head swine facility in China. So far, more than 90 cases have been reported since last August. That’s raising concern about the possible spread of the disease, which hasn’t shown up yet in the United States. Nebraska Pork Producers Association Executive Director Al Juhnke says it’s the first time it showed up in a larger swine operation in China despite having good biosecurity measures in place.

He’s says the Chinese are having problems controlling ASF which means the disease is likely to move. So, U.S. pork producers need to be ready and put preventative steps in place.

Juhnke says another concern is that ASF has been carried in feral pigs in China. So, the wild population in Texas, Southern Missouri and Oklahoma need to be closely watched.

Juhnke says several states, including Nebraska, have been holding meetings with state and USDA vets, pork boards and producers to talk about what preventative measures they need to have in place for ASF.