This spring, the USDA plans to conduct extensive testing of American pigs for African swine fever.

This step is part of a new surveillance program that will closely monitor the signs of the virus reaching the United States.

“The enhanced surveillance program will serve as an early warning system, helping us to detect any potential diseases much faster.”

It will also minimize the spread of the virus and support efforts to restore markets and animal movements as soon as possible if a disease is detected, ”said Greg Ibach, US Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

This is an attempt by the ministry to protect the American livestock of pigs from diseases that, according to industry experts, could lead to the devastation of the pork industry by $ 20 billion.

Early detection will allow the USDA to quickly contain the outbreak and limit its spread. The U.S. Department of Agriculture surveillance program will complement the agency’s classic swine fever surveillance program.

As part of the program, farmers will report any pig that has signs of illness so that it can be checked. The USDA will also monitor slaughterhouses for animals that show symptoms.

“Our common goal, as before, is to prevent this deadly disease from entering the United States,” the USDA statement said.