Previously, EGG-NEWS commented on the failure to control African swine fever (ASF) in Haiti applying a slaughter-out program that was equally costly to both subsistence and commercial hog producers and to consumers.

In a recent announcement, Limber Cruz, the Director of Agriculture for the Dominican Republic, announced an ASF vaccination program.  The USDA vaccine developed at Plum Island and further evaluated in Viet Nam will be used.  This vaccine has been demonstrated to be effective when administered in accordance with directions and does not spread ASF virus. 

The vaccine will be administered to all types of farms, irrespective of size in animals from 8 to 10 weeks of age onwards.  It is hoped that by establishing an adequately high level of immunity in the hog population, the disease can be suppressed below the outbreak threshold and ultimately represents the prospect of eradication.

The failure of a slaughter-out program, advocated by USDA-APHIS in Haiti contrasts with the more practical approach by veterinary health regulators in the neighboring nation of the Dominican Republic.

The outcome of vaccination in the Dominican Republic will be a practical lesson for APHIS.  Contingency plans to control and ultimately eradication of ASF is necessary since proximity of Caribbean nations to the U. S. raises the potential of introduction of the virus.  Fortunately for APHIS and the hog industry, “Pigs do not fly”, the principal challenge with control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. As a side issue suppression of ASF in the event that the disease is introduced will be the presence of feral hogs that will serve as a reservoir population.