Collective action neutralizes African swine fever threat

Keeping African swine fever (ASF) out of the United States has been a priority for animal health officials and the swine industry. Once confined to Africa, the highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs has been reported in more than 80 countries since 2005.

Its incursion almost seemed imminent when, in July 2021, the disease reappeared in the Americas after an absence of almost 40 years, having been diagnosed in pigs in the Dominican Republic and later in Haiti.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), an outbreak of ASF could have an economic impact of as much as $15 billion due to collapsing pork prices, swine industry impacts and lost export markets, so long as the disease was eliminated within two years. Under a 10-year scenario, damages could hit $50 billion, and exports might never fully recover.

"An introduction of ASF would have devastating consequences, both for the health of our domestic herds and for the swine economy," said Dr. Lydia Carpenter, a veterinary medical officer with APHIS Veterinary Services.

Dr. Carpenter played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP). Launched by APHIS in 2020, US SHIP is a national certification program designed to prevent outbreaks of ASF, classical swine fever (CSF) and other diseases by setting biosecurity, traceability and testing standards for the swine industry.

"The current US SHIP pilot program demonstrates the progress that can be made when industry, state and federal authorities collaborate to address a common goal," said Dr. Abbey Canon, director of public health and communications for the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. "The AASV applauds the foresight by industry stakeholders to initiate the US SHIP program. The contributions of USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services staff have been important in the development and maturation of the program, bringing it forward as a proposed rule. We also recognize and thank USDA-APHIS leadership for supporting this industry-led effort and for seeing the potential value to U.S. swine health."