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The African Swine Fever juggernaut continues to roll across Asia, with the 10th nation - East Timor - reporting its arrival in the past 11 months. This represents a geographic jump of anywhere from 1500 km (from the Philippines) to nearly 2000 km (from Vietnam), and brings it uncomfortably close (400km) to Australia.
ASF doesn't cross oceans without the help of humans, who may carry it via contaminated food products, exported contaminated feed, or even on their shoes or clothing, to new regions.
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| How ASF Spreads |
Extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers of 27 September 2019
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
VIII Constitutional Government
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Press release
The Council of Ministers met at the government Palace in Dili and approved the government decree, presented by the Minister of Petroleum and Minerals in office, Agio Pereira and the National Petroleum and Minerals Authority of Timor-Leste (ANPM), which regulates the Procedure concerning the allocation of areas of the territory of Timor-Leste to research and oil production activities.
The analysis of the Government's resolution on the authorisation to open public tenders for the conclusion of petroleum contracts was also continued, with a view to carrying out research and oil production activities under the law of Petroleum activities and the regulation of petroleum public procurement.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in office, Fidelis Leite Magalhães, made a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the disease that has caused the deaths of hundreds of pigs in the country. Samples were taken from these animals and sent for laboratory analysis in Australia confirming that these animals suffer from African swine fever. This disease is highly contagious among animals, not producing effects on humans and has affected several Asian countries. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in collaboration with the Government of Australia, has taken all necessary measures to limit the effects of this outbreak, for which there is still no remedy, cure or vaccine. End
The OIE published the following notification, indicating 100 outbreaks in this tiny nation, starting roughly 3 weeks ago.
So far, African Swine Fever has never been reported in North America, but today's report reminds us that wide oceans only provide a limited amount of protection.
Last May, in USDA Enhances Domestic ASF Surveillance Efforts, we looked at plans for enhanced testing and surveillance for ASF in American pigs, in hopes of detecting - and stamping out - any infections as early as possible.The USDA also recently released a 28-page ASF response plan, in the event the virus turns up on American soil.
While ASF poses no direct threat to human health, it can be devastating to pork production, and - particularly in food insecure regions - potentially lead to social, political, and economic instability.
