FAO and USDA join forces to contain African swine fever in the Dominican Republic

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most devastating diseases affecting pigs, capable of wiping out entire herds and threatening livelihoods across the livestock sector.  When the Dominican Republic confirmed the presence of ASF in 2021 — the first detection in the Western Hemisphere in over 40 years — the risk extended far beyond the country’s borders, raising concern across the Americas.

In response, the Government of the Dominican Republic launched a National Swine Biosecurity Plan with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United States Department of Agriculture’s  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the General Directorate of Livestock of the Dominican Republic.  Since 2023, this partnership has worked to strengthen farm biosecurity, improve disease surveillance, and protect the country’s swine value chain from further spread of the virus.

“During my visit to the Dominican Republic earlier this year, I had the chance to see firsthand how farmers and veterinarians are putting stronger biosecurity measures into practice,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol following her mission to the Dominican Republic and Haiti in January 2026. “What stood out most was the level of collaboration — between producers, government authorities, FAO and USDA APHIS — to tackle African swine fever before it spreads further. Those kinds of practical, on-the-ground efforts are exactly what it takes to protect farmers’ livelihoods and safeguard the pork industry across the Americas.

Biosecurity on farms

In the Dominican Republic, where more than 80 percent of pigs are raised by smallholder farmers, strengthening biosecurity at the farm level is critical to preventing outbreaks. Through the National Biosecurity Plan, FAO, USDA APHIS and national authorities are supporting producers to adopt improved sanitary practices and disease prevention measures.

To date, 637 farms — representing more than 80 percent of the national herd — are registered in the programme. Participating farms are evaluated against national biosecurity standards and receive technical guidance on infrastructure improvements, hygiene protocols, and management practices designed to reduce disease risk. As a result, farms producing 25 percent of the country’s commercial pork are already certified as biosecure.

Training farmers and strengthening prevention

Biosecurity is the foundation of disease prevention. As part of the program, more than 10,000 Dominican farmers have received training on proven biosecurity practices.  Farmers participating in the program have also received biosecurity kits containing essential protective and sanitation supplies to maintain controlled farm environments and reduce contamination risks.

The results demonstrate the impact of targeted prevention measures. Farms without biosecurity measures are two to five times more likely to test positive for ASF than farms that have implemented at least one preventive measure, while fully certified farms have remained ASF-free.

According to Rodrigo Castañeda, FAO representative in the Dominican Republic, “the National Swine Biosecurity Plan reflects the Dominican Republic's strong political commitment to protecting its livestock sector and rural livelihoods through coordinated public policies and international cooperation. Working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and the General Directorate of Livestock, FAO has supported the country in creating a modern prevention framework that strengthens biosecurity from farms to borders. The strategic support of USDA APHIS has been instrumental in positioning this initiative not only as a national response, but also as a regional shield that contributes to safeguarding animal health, food security, and pig industries throughout the Americas, including the United State

Strengthening the pork value chain

Preventing the spread of ASF requires action beyond the farm gate. The National Biosecurity Plan addresses risks along the broader pork value chain. Training programs have been conducted for slaughterhouse personnel in good manufacturing practices and food safety to ensure safer handling of animals and meat products. In addition, the programme has carried out studies of butchers and meat sellers, identifying practices and gaps where biosecurity improvements are necessary to ensure food safety.

Leveraging innovation and technology

The programme has also introduced a pilot biosecurity management system using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve monitoring and early detection of disease risks. By analyzing farm operations and animal movement patterns, the system strengthens monitoring of biosecurity practices and helps identify vulnerabilities before outbreaks can occur.

During a two-month monitoring period at the end of 2025, the system tracked over 6,110 animal movements across three production zones in a large commercial farm. The data were used to construct an epidemiological network of how people and animals move and interact, allowing the producer to better anticipate potential transmission pathways and target prevention strategies.

The economic value of prevention

Beyond protecting animal health, investments in biosecurity generate significant economic benefits. FAO estimates that biosecurity measures through the program have helped prevent losses of up to USD 40 million over the past two years for participating farms by safeguarding livestock assets and maintaining production capacity — roughly ten times the value of the initial investment. Building on these results, a second phase of the programme will strengthen national biosecurity through further certification of farms, slaughterhouses, and animal transport systems, while strengthening surveillance for ASF.

“Strengthening and sustaining ASF biosecurity in the Dominican Republic is not only essential for animal health—it is an economic imperative,” highlighted Chanda Berk, Agricultural Counselor for the Dominican Republic, Haiti & Jamaica from the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS). “Protecting the United States’ pork sector, valued at more than USD 74 billion, depends on preventing this disease from reaching our shores. That is why USDA invested more than USD 3 million to support the Dominican Republic’s ASF response, a country we consider one of our most valued partners. Thanks to our shared progress, the Dominican Republic is better protected today, but continued investments in biosecurity are crucial to safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods, trade, and food security. USDA is proud to work alongside the Ministry of Agriculture, DIEGA, OIRSA, FAO, and IICA to advance this vital economic and biosecurity effort.

A model for the Americas

The Dominican Republic’s experience demonstrates how coordinated action between government authorities, international partners, and producers can successfully reduce the risk of transboundary animal diseases. Through stronger biosecurity systems, farmer training, supply-chain improvements, and innovative surveillance technologies, the country is building a more resilient swine sector while containing the virus.

The Dominican experience offers an important model for countries across Latin America and the Caribbean seeking to strengthen preparedness for ASF and other emerging livestock diseases, helping protect farmers, food systems and livestock industries throughout the Americas.