The Director of Swine Health for the National Pork Board says the USDA is making remarkable progress with developing an effective vaccine aimed at preventing African Swine Fever from entering the United States. Dr. Lisa Becton says the A-R-S did a great job of developing ASF strains, testing for them and finding a viable vaccine.
She says it’s difficult to pinpoint when a totally effective vaccine will come forward to create a cure for ASF., since there are still many challenges to overcome.
Becton says the most important thing pork producers can do is to keep enhancing the biosecurity on their operations and making sure their trucks that ship the animals are clean.
Becton says because ASF can be carried on clothing or footwear it’s critical to have strict control on who is permitted on or off the swine operation. She also says cleaning boots and having showers available are other key preventative steps.
