DR achieves relevant advances in the control of African swine fever, according to FAO

The Dominican Republic has made sustained progress in controlling African swine fever, a highly lethal viral disease that has kept more than 50 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania on alert since 2021. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) noted that the coordinated response in the Caribbean country, accompanied by biosecurity strategies, has contained the most serious outbreaks and prevented their spread in certified farms. This progress is especially significant given the persistent risk posed by the proximity of the Dominican Republic to Haiti, where vigilance and prevention require maximum attention. The reappearance of African swine fever in the Americas set a precedent on July 28, 2021, with the detection of the first outbreak in Dominican domestic pigs. It was the first case reported in the Western Hemisphere since the 1980s and raised alarms throughout the continent.

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Authorities and experts agree that the disease does not pose a danger to human health, but they emphasize that it constitutes the most severe threat to global pig production, with a direct impact on markets and the livelihoods of thousands of producers. FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol acknowledged the Dominican Republic’s response capacity thanks to the joint work with regional and international organizations. Biosecurity measures have strengthened prevention; in particular, the certification of virus-free farms, an achievement that the official highlighted publicly.