POST WORKSHOP – Improving preparedness for African Swine Fever in the Caribbean

The Ross University hosted a workshop entitled, “Improving Preparedness for African Swine Fever in the Caribbean”. This workshop along with side meetings with some of the veterinarians at Ross University were held from November 6-9 and Dr. Nneka Hull James attended and represented the Veterinary and Livestock Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and the nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Other countries represented were the Dominican Republic, Montserrat, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago.

The Facilitators for this important forum were Prof. Lisa Boden Dean Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Dean of Veterinary Medicine University of Edinburgh Scotland, UK and Dr. Juan Pablo Villanueva-Cabezas Research Fellow Department of Infectious Diseases Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) University of Melbourne Melbourne, Australia.

Dr. Hull James and the other participants were invited to be informed, discuss and exchange information that would aim to investigate the ongoing risks of re-introduction, spread and establishment of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in the Caribbean region. This is critically relevant due to the recent emergence of ASF in the region and in the Dominican Republic. ASF is a viral disease that can result in widespread illness in swine and grave economic losses due to the decimation of the pork industry. This is due to the incurable nature of the disease. As a result, resolution generally involves complete depopulation of swine farms which can rapidly decimate the pork industry on islands such as Antigua and Barbuda.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with local farmworkers, industry leaders, veterinary practitioners and policymakers in St Kitts and the wider Caribbean to characterize the pig industry, assess stakeholder knowledge, attitudes, practice in relation to ASF risks and inform known risk pathways for ASF to better improve contingency planning and preparedness for early detection and response to ASF outbreaks. Meetings were also held with lecturers at Ross University outside of the workshop to ascertain how Antigua and Barbuda can best benefit from their expertise. Some of the lecturers at Ross University, have indicated their willingness to discuss the provision of training opportunities in swine health, biosecurity and disease control for Antigua and Barbuda

 

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Dr. Hull-James is seventh in the front line