Regional Training Improves Swine Disease Response

A regional simulation and training exercise aimed at strengthening preparedness for African Swine Fever (ASF) was held in Guadalajara, Jalisco, with the goal of preventing the disease’s entry into the Americas. The initiative focused on improving technical capacity in surveillance, diagnostics, and rapid response to ASF outbreaks, a disease that affects swine and poses a serious threat to livestock industries.

The event was organized by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in coordination with Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) through the National Service for Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA).

Diego Montenegro, Representative in Mexico, IICA, emphasized the organization’s commitment to strengthening veterinary services in the Andean region, Central America and the Caribbean. He said the simulation reflects successful institutional collaboration with USDA and SADER in developing technical skills for sanitary emergency planning.

Armando García, Director of the Mexico–US Commission for the Prevention of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Other Exotic Animal Diseases, SENASICA, said that Mexico is prepared to respond to animal health emergencies involving red diseases in pigs, such as ASF.

María Romano, Representative of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA, and Iván Espinosa, Executive Director, Mexican Pig Farmers’ Organization (OPORMEX), also highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration to exchange strategies and strengthen joint responses to ASF and similar threats.

The simulation took place from June 30 to July 4 and included 55 participants from the United States, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, several Caribbean nations and Ecuador.

The opening session featured remarks from Peter Fernández, Adviser, APHIS-USDA, and included an introduction to ASF. Technical experts from IICA and SENASICA focused on clinical signs of red pig diseases, epidemiological surveillance, biosecurity lab protocols, risk communication and Mexico’s National Animal Health Emergency Device (DINESA).