This afternoon, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise hosted a press conference to put Belizeans on alert about the African Swine Flu.
Currently, Belize is one of the countries of the Americas and the Caribbean that is still free of this virus, which is fatal to pigs. But, it was recently detected in the Dominican Republic, and so the threat to this region is a real and present danger. That's because, while it poses no health risk to humans, and cannot be transferred to other animal species, it could completely devastate the local pork industry. This industry contributes about 30 million dollars annually to the country's economy, and it employs 3,500 persons.
Here's what the Minister of Agriculture had to about the urgency to keep the virus out of Belize during the Zoom Press Conference:
Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai - Minister of Agriculture
"On July 28th, 2021, animal health officials in the Dominican Republic confirmed the presence of the dreadful disease of pigs, African Swine Fever. Reports are that samples sent to Plum Island confirmed that the disease was present in 2 farms that were geographically separated. It is Americas' first case in 40 years. Today, it is reported that the deadly disease, which causes 100% mortality in pigs, is present in 11 of the 32 provinces in the Dominican Republic and is further spreading. The Dominican Republic Government is restricting shipments and is mobilizing the military to contain the spread of African Swine Fever. The USA, Mexico, CARICOM States, and the Central American Countries are on high alert and are tightening border checks and restricting the movement of pork and pork products. The World Organization for Animal Health has called on countries to strengthen efforts to keep out African Swine Fever. This disease is not to be taken lightly. This is the same disease that has wiped out 50% of the largest pig producers and consumers in the world, China. This was early as 2019 and 2020, causing losses of billions of dollars, and disrupting grain prices across the world, affecting small producers and consumers."
Dr. Miguel Depaz - Technical Director, Animal Health, BAHA
"The most common pathway for introduction would be importing live pigs or pork products. History statistics have shown that pork products are the main source where a free country would become infected. So, we really need to do a risk assessment. The Managing Director did speak about conducting risk assessments to detect or to determine where the high risks lie. In terms of pork products coming into the country, a common pathway is through international flights. And therefore, BAHA has in place measures where garbage that would come into the country - we refer to those as wet garbage - we incinerate those at the points of entry. For example, the cruise ships are not allowed to import - or to leave their wet garbage in-country."
The authorities are currently maintaining a prohibition against the importation of pigs and pork products from countries known to be struggling with the African Swine Fever. There is some concern that this virus could be brought to Belize through contraband pork products.
