Colombia intensifies inspections to prevent African Swine Fever

The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) has reinforced sanitary inspection and prevention measures at ports, airports, and border crossings to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF). This initiative is being conducted in collaboration with Porkcolombia and airport authorities as part of the ‘¡Cuidemos El Campo Milagro!’ national campaign.

ASF is a highly contagious and lethal viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, though it does not infect humans. The alert remains high because the disease is present or reported in over 73 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, with notable risks identified from regions including Spain, Germany, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

Protecting the national swine industry is a priority, as Colombia maintains a population of over 10.7 million pigs. The sector supports more than 400,000 people, including small and medium-sized producers, farmers, and professionals. Preventing an outbreak is considered essential to ensuring domestic meat supply and maintaining access to international markets.