Porto Alegre, August 12, 2021 – In late July, an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in the Dominican Republic, being the first record of the disease on the American continent since the 1980s, when it was considered eradicated. The Caribbean country’s Ministry of Agriculture is restricting shipments and using a military contingent to contain the spread of the disease. Several countries, such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil are increasing the level of surveillance and carrying out information programs to the production chain.
Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) informed that it is monitoring the situation in the Dominican Republic. “Aiming to keep the country free of ASF, the Ministry has adopted the necessary measures that the situation requires and already issued an alert for import control, international agricultural surveillance, and official animal health services,” the director of Animal Health Geraldo Moraes said.
“It is essential that pig farmers and agribusinesses intensify biosafety procedures in breeding establishments, especially regarding the entry of animals, food, supplies, and visitors, and immediately notify any suspected cases of the disease to the official animal health service for prompt investigation.”
The concern stems from the severity of the disease as its occurrence leads to the closing of the export business flow.
