This week, the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) and the Colombian pork producers association, Asoporcicultores, reviewed and analysed the current state of unusual disease in pigs in Huila and Cundinamarca, in order to control and eradicate these outbreaks and prevent their spread.

So far, the actions taken have allowed the situation in Neiva, La Mesa and Fusagasugá to be addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

The Institute has so far implemented measure to control the transportation of pigs by setting up 10 checkpoints as well as epidemiological surveillance visits to 230 farms with a total of 34,419 pigs. Twenty-three events and exhibitions in the affected areas have been suspended.

Luis Humberto Martínez Lacouture, CEO of ICA, said that the situation is being taken seriously, responsibly and wisely and that there is a strong commitment to the country and its farmers. ICA has been working closely with producers, providing humanitarian assistance and following existing protocols that include taking samples.

He added his hope that the disease does not spread and that, although it is a difficult task, inspections and control will not be given up.

According to Carlos Maya, CEO of Asoporcicultores, ICA has worked hard in recent days to control this disease. Pig producers, are committed to increasing their biosecurity controls and will fully co-operate with the strategies implemented by the health authority and association.

He commented that so far, the PED virus has spread as quickly in Colombia as in some other countries, offering the hope that it can be stamped out quickly.

The general manager of ICA stressed the importance of producers bringing to the attention of the ICA any suspicions about outbreaks, not acquiring pigs of unknown origin and implementing the highest level of biosecurity.