On July 29, the Official Commission for the Control and Eradication of ASF Outbreaks began depopulating pig farms across affected provinces, aiming to control the spread of African swine fever (ASF). Technical teams started the depopulation tasks in Sánchez Ramírez. Authorities estimate that over 17,000 pigs will be destroyed. 

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) shared this week that as of August 2, the Dominican government had detected ASF in 11 provinces, including Sánchez Ramírez, Santiago, Hermanas Mirabal, La Vega, Montecristi, Elías Piña, San Juan y el Distrito Nacional.

According to a recent briefing from the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Agriculture, five work teams have been deployed to different farms to depopulate herds. Affected producers are being guaranteed market price through Banco Agrícola, with compensation to be paid within 12-15 days.

The Dominican government has assured that its Minister of Agriculture has already activated the National Emergency Committee for Exotic Diseases of Domestic Animals to ensure all institutions in the agricultural sector operate in a coordinated way.

Some of the immediate actions in place include prohibiting entry and exit of live and slaughtered pigs in the affected provinces, establishing military checkpoints in affected provinces and conducting epidemiological investigations.

Officials are using high-tech equipment donated by the U.S. government that is installed in the molecular biology unit of the Central Veterinary Laboratory (LAVECEN) in order to increase the diagnostic response and obtain timely and timely results in support.

In addition to support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the country is receiving technical and financial support coming from the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and United States Agency for International Development.