October 10, 2022

Brazil reveals ASF contingency plan

Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) has recently presented its Contingency Plan for African Swine Fever outlining procedures for the containment and eradication of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks.

The document was developed by the Department of Animal Health of the Secretariat of Agricultural Defense, with the contribution of different actors from the official Brazilian veterinary service, educational and research institutions, and representatives from the private sector (production and industry).

In the case of ASF occurrence in Brazil, a state of an animal health emergency will be declared by MAPA, and a set of activities described in the contingency plans will be initiated, taking into account the country's status as an ASF-free country and the serious economic and social consequences resulting from the disease.

An emergency simulation exercise will take place on November 19-26 during which veterinary officials and other participants can practice the organisational and technical procedures such as clinical and epidemiological investigation, biosecurity, cleaning and disinfection of facilities, and control and inspection of vehicle traffic in the region, as well as the use of software for data collection and processing and information management.

Planning activities, proposing a containment zone and risk communication activities will also be exercised.

- MAPA (Brazil)