The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting its third annual African Swine Fever (ASF) Action Week from October 2 - 6, 2023, according to a government-issued press release.

USDA-APHIS is encouraging US swine producers, small farms and pig owners to join us and learn about ASF and what they can do to help protect the US swine herd.

ASF has never been detected in the US, but since its detection in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2021, USDA has partnered with industry and states to enhance already strong safeguards to protect US swine from this costly disease.

”The longer ASF continues to circulate around the globe, the greater the threat to the US swine industry,” said Rosemary Sifford, APHIS veterinary services deputy administrator, and Chief Veterinary Officer. 

“Prevention is our best investment. If introduced here, ASF would devastate the pig herds that Americans and our trading partners rely on for food," she added. "And, if it were to become endemic, it could take us more than 10 years and about $75 billion to eradicate."

APHIS is asking producers and pig owners to join in efforts to stand vigilant against this disease.