The continued spread of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Asia has spurred the chief veterinary officer from the United Nations Food Agricultural Organization to ask for increased global surveillance for the devastating disease.
The Pork Checkoff encourages producers to heighten their level of awareness and to continue adherence to proper biosecurity measures.
“Early detection through surveillance is critical in providing the best opportunity to limit the negative effects of a foreign animal disease outbreak on the pork industry,” says veterinarian Patrick Webb, director of swine health programs for the Pork Checkoff.
“With exports of U.S. pork and pork products around 20% of production, it is in the best interest of all producers to remain vigilant,” Webb says. “Pork producers and swine veterinarians play an important role in knowing what to look for in a suspected case. The key is to be on the alert in order to help keep the U.S. swine herd safe.”
A poster on FMD symptoms is available through the Pork Store at www.pork.org.
For more information, contact Webb at PWebb@pork.org or call (515) 223-3441.