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US swine vet calls ASF a long term concern

The Chief Veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council says although African Swine Fever has not reached the US, she expects it to be a concern for a long time.

“China has not been able to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease or Classical Swine Fever for years and years and those are diseases that have vaccines. So, the likelihood of African Swine Fever being easier for them to control is pretty low. My expectation is that African Swine Fever will become endemic in China.”

Liz Wagstrom tells Brownfield that several research studies are being conducted and pork organizations are doing what they can to inform and prevent the disease, but producers should be taking action as well.

“Producers, number one, need to be validating that they have a premise ID and that it is specific to the sites where they have pigs. They need to be working to strengthen bio security and looking at all of the inputs that come into their farm.”

Wagstrom also encourages producers to be mindful of foreign workers and visitors and to talk with state and federal veterinary officials about options in the event of an outbreak.

Brownfield interviewed Wagstrom at the Illinois Pork Expo in Springfield.