Research Safeguards U.S. Pork Industry from African Swine Fever

Pork production is a major U.S. agricultural industry with an estimated production value of $30 billion in 2022, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service.  While never identified in the U.S., African Swine Fever presents a very real threat to the nation’s multibillion-dollar pork industry. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funding supports researchers developing surveillance, prevention and preparedness methods for this highly infectious animal disease.

First identified in the early 20th century, African Swine Fever (ASF) is a viral disease that has impacted swine in Africa, Europe and Asia. In 2021, ASF was detected in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Since then, the USDA has worked to enhance already strong safeguards to protect U.S. swine from this costly disease. In support of this effort, USDA NIFA has funded numerous projects focused on different aspects of managing the threat ASF presents.