African Swine Fever which was detected earlier in China and has now spread across the globe is getting closer to the U.S. with the latest finding in the Dominican Republic. That nation is close to U.S. Territory, Puerto Rico. SDSU Extension Veterinarian Dr. Russ Daly says that should put everyone on alert to how pork exports would be affected should it reach Puerto Rico.
He says America’s pork producers have done a great job with their biosecurity and U.S. health officials and USDA along with the pork industry have instituted defense measures against ASF should it show up, although the goal remains to keep it out of the United States.
Daly says the swine operations in the U.S. are the safest in the world and even closer to home, SDSU has a diagnostic lab that’s already testing for ASF, even though it’s yet to show up.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is looking for ASF in Puerto Rico monitoring it to see if there’s any signs of the virus being there.
