Farms.com Home   News

FMD and ASF Present Increasing Global Threat

In the face of new incursions of foot-and-mouth disease and African Swine Fever, the Swine Health Information Center is advising North American pork producers to strengthen biosecurity measures to address both endemic disease and foreign animal disease. The Swine Health Information Center's monthly global swine disease monitoring report, released as part of its May eNewsletter, updates the foot-and-mouth disease and African Swine Fever situations.SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says both diseases present a risk.

Clip-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center:

Foot-and-mouth has seen an increased incursion in Europe, mainly in Hungary and Slovakia and so they are seeing continued outbreaks in those countries. South Korea has also seen 16 outbreaks since mid-march of 2025 alone and that signifies a continued movement of  the  virus.It was also reported; a new serotype was found in the Near East with the SAT1 virus being identified in multiple countries.African Swine Fever continues to surge in both Moldova and Romania compared to 2024.Then, in the UK they still are seeing heightened surveillance at the borders due to the threat of both African Swine Fever and foot-and-mouth disease, which is leading to increased interdictions of illegal products trying to cross the borders.

It really is important for producers to be aware of not only African Swine Fever but foot-and-mouth disease virus because that will help identify, what are some of the potential points or risks of entry into the U.S. including things like illegal meats or pork products being brought into the country and even contaminated clothing and footwear, especially as people are travelling overseas and may go into areas where active infections are occurring.

Dr. Becton suggests not only will many of these biosecurity measures address our current endemic disease challenges but they can be very effective against foreign animal disease.She says it's important to continue to maintain vigilance and awareness to prevent these diseases.

Source : Farmscape.ca

Trending Video

Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

Video: Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

In this exclusive interview from the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress Rachel Fishback and Swineweb sit down with Tim Messinger, a seasoned expert from Precision Structures Inc. (PSI) of Wellman, Iowa, to delve into the latest trends and innovations in hog barn construction and remodeling.

With nearly two decades at PSI, Tim shares his journey from draftsman to sales, highlighting the company’s comprehensive services in building farrow-to-wean complexes, finishers, and nurseries. He emphasizes the critical role of proper site layout and grading in barn construction, ensuring long-term efficiency and scalability for pork producers.

Tim also discusses the increasing importance of advanced ventilation systems and smart controllers like Maximus and AP Edge, which offer producers enhanced monitoring and control over barn environments. As construction costs have risen, PSI has seen an uptick in remodeling projects, particularly in slat replacements, roof refurbishments and barn gating remodels to extend the lifespan of existing facilities.

A key takeaway from Tim is the value of partnering with reputable builders who offer robust post-sale support. PSI’s dedicated service team stands ready to assist clients 24/7, addressing emergencies and ensuring optimal barn performance.

For pork producers looking to build or upgrade their facilities, this conversation offers valuable insights into best practices and the latest industry developments.