Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office will hold an informational webinar about African Swine Fever (ASF), a virus which causes hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic and feral swine. The session will cover ASF, biosecurity, and what farmers and ranchers can do to protect their backyard premises. Participants are encouraged to submit their questions ahead of time using this form. Media and the public are encouraged to join.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has confirmed ASF in samples collected from pigs in the Dominican Republic through an existing cooperative surveillance program.
“The USDA has numerous interlocking safeguards in place to prevent ASF from entering the United States and currently, pork and pork products from the Dominican Republic are prohibited entry due to ASF restrictions,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin. “But it’s always good to know what symptoms to watch for, so this informational webinar teaches Coloradans more about ASF, how to recognize it, and how farmers can institute biosecurity protocols to keep Colorado swine safe.”
ASF has been circulating in Asia and parts of Europe for the past several years. This detection of ASF in the Dominican Republic marks the first detection in the Western hemisphere in nearly 40 years. ASF is not a threat to human health, cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans, and it is not a food safety issue.
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WHAT: Informational Webinar on African Swine Fever
WHO: State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin
WHEN: Thursday August 19, 2021, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Virtual via zoom, media and public can register here
CONTACT: For more information about the webinar or African Swine Fever, please contact Dave Dice at dave.dice@state.co.us