African Swine Fever
Katelyn Walley, Business Management Specialist and Team Leader
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
![African Swine Fever](https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/images/submission/image866.jpg)
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a viral disease that is rapidly spreading across Europe and Asia - with potential to affect the North American Swine Industry and have crippling economic impacts. While the disease does not spread to humans, is easily transmitted across hog populations, both wild and domestic.
The ASF virus can survive extreme temperatures for several months and many commonly used disinfectants, and causes high morbidity and mortality. At this time, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not allow imports of pigs or fresh pork products from affected regions. Symptoms of ASF include high fever, decreased appetite, weakness, skin blemishes, diarrhea, and respiratory illness. The disease is usually fatal, but if hogs do recover, they will continue to be carriers of the virus for several months. There is no vaccine or known treatment for ASF.
Proper biosecurity is the best prevention tool for swine producers. ASF can spread rapidly through direct pig contact, small insects (ticks, flies), contaminated feeds, materials and equipment, carcasses, and wild animals. Prevention can involve keeping pigs healthy and monitoring visitors (and their vehicles, equipment, supplies, etc.). Additionally, producers should not feed raw or undercooked pork products to pigs, and house pigs in an controlled environment when possible. If any pigs do become ill, isolate them and contact your veterinarian. When bringing in any new animals, isolate them for at least two to four weeks to monitor for illness. For more information, visit www.aphis.usda.gov.
Upcoming Events
2024 Aurora Farm Field Day
![Event Offers DEC Credits](../images/dec_credits.gif)
August 1, 2024
Aurora, NY
The annual Cornell Field Crop Research Field Day will be Thursday, August 1 at the Musgrave Research Farm, Aurora, N.Y. The program features walking and hay wagon tours in the morning and afternoon.
2024 Broiler Field Day at Laughing Earth Farm
August 19, 2024 : 2024 Broiler Field Day at Laughing Earth Farm
Cropseyville, NY
Join us for a free field day to explore broiler production, processing, and finances. Zack and Annie Metzger will be our hosts. They have run this 200 year-old small diversified farm for 8 years. They process their poultry in a 20C kitchen, where they produce value-added products like sausage and dehydrated chicken feet.
2024 Broiler Field Day at Majestic Farm
August 20, 2024 : 2024 Broiler Field Day at Majestic Farm
Mountaindale, NY
Join us for a free field day to explore broiler production, processing, and finances. Brett and Sara Budde will be our hosts. They raise slow-growth organic broilers on their diversified farm in large flocks on woodland pasture. Their birds are processed into whole birds, parts, and chicken sausage.
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