According to a press release, preventive actions were taken to contain the outbreak, including a ban on pig and pork transportation from/to both provinces.

In addition, the ministry established other actions such as quarantine for the two affected provinces, cleaning and disinfection of affected sites, constant epidemiological screenings, overall military control at all strategic checkpoints and a campaign to information.

Likewise, Sánchez Ramírez province has as many as 15,000 pigs, while Montecristi province has about 4,600.’ As we can see it´s a tiny proportion compared to the country´s overall number of pigs, estimating 1,500,000 to 1,800,000 pigs.’

Agricultural authorities assured ASF is not transmissible to humans, therefore, pork can continue being consumed nationwide.

Finally, the Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz activated the National Emergency Committee for Exotic Diseases of Domestic Animals in order to ensure all agricultural institutions operate in a coordinated manner to guarantee national pig production.

pgh/Pll/msm / ema