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African swine fever has been sweeping through various pockets of the world, threatening the pork market. While this disease has been around for many years, it’s only been in the last year that concern has ramped up about this highly contagious disease. Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Water Quality and Research Jordan Hoewischer discusses why this is the case during a recent Field Day podcast with insight from Dr. Paul Sundberg, executive director of the Swine Health Information Center, and Dr. Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian at the National Pork Producers Council.
What is African swine fever?
It’s a highly contagious viral disease with a high mortality rate and affects both domestic and wild pigs. Multiple strains exist with some more virulent than others.
Is it in the United States?
No. It’s been found in Africa, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and China where it infected the largest pig herd in the world. China has more than half the world’s pork production and markets 500-600 million pigs per year compared to 120 million in the United States.
Is the disease a threat to human health?
No. It can’t be transmitted from pigs to humans and is not a food safety issue.
Is there a cure?
No. Currently there is no treatment or vaccine available. The only way to stop the disease is to depopulate affected herds.
What are the symptoms?
The disease causes hemorrhaging throughout the organs, and symptoms include fever, discolored skin that is purplish in color, weakness, diarrhea and vomiting and coughing or difficulty breathing.
What is being done to prevent it from infecting U.S. herds?
The Swine Health Information Center has been collaborating with swine veterinary diagnostic labs across the United States to report endemic diseases and keep an eye out for possible cases. The center also has increased education efforts about African swine fever to pork producers and veterinarians.
More intense border protection measures have been put in place with a proposal to add 600 more agricultural inspectors. Additionally, some states have joined forces on developing a response protocol if African swine fever is found there.
Learn more about African swine fever and other emerging issues in agriculture by subscribing to the Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer podcasts.
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My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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