Prime Minister ai Ariel Henry, chaired a high-level meeting between members of his Government and animal health experts with a view to adopting adequate measures and avoiding the reintroduction of African swine fever in the national territory, which affects already several provinces of the Dominican Republic of which these are the first cases for 40 years according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Due to its complex epidemiology, the disease has spread, affecting more than 50 countries in Africa, Europe and Asia since 2018, recalls the OIE. Among them : China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Russia, Italy (Sardinia), but also recently Germany, the leading pork producer in Europe.

Aware of the high risk regarding a possible recontamination of the pig herd by this disease throughout the territory (as was the case in the early 1980s) and the socio-economic and environmental damage it could cause, Ariel Henry, believes that it is extremely important and urgent to mobilize all the necessary resources in order to exercise a systematic and constant control at the level of all the border points that Haiti and the Dominican Republic share.

The Haitian State also intends to strengthen contingency plans and seek technical support from international specialists.

An interministerial commission under the supervision of the Prime Minister was set up with the participation of key ministries such as : Agriculture, Trade, Territorial Collectivities, Justice and Public Security, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Communication. The mission of this commission is to coordinate all government actions related to the management of this problem.

Should be noted that according to the World Organization for Animal Health, African swine fever does not pose a threat to human health or to the safety of foods derived from pork.

HL/ HaitiLibre