Dominica Hosts African Swine Fever Sampling Pilot to Strengthen Regional Surveillance and Response

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Delegation in Commonwealth of Dominica recently facilitated the hosting of a two-day African Swine Fever (ASF) Sampling Pilot aimed at strengthening surveillance, preparedness and response efforts against the disease within the Caribbean region.

The initiative was conducted through collaboration between the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy of Dominica. Activities were held at the Dominica China Agricultural Science Complex in Portsmouth on May 6 and 7, 2026.

The pilot formed part of the regional project, “Strengthening Surveillance and Response Capacity for African Swine Fever through Training and Sample Collection in the Caribbean Region,” which seeks to support the development of an ASF Surveillance and Response Plan for Dominica and the wider CARICOM region. Veterinary professionals, animal health technicians, laboratory personnel, quarantine officers, pig farmers, and other public and private sector stakeholders participated in the initiative, which combined technical training sessions with practical field activities.

The first day focused on strengthening participants’ technical knowledge and capacity in areas including:

• Recognition of ASF clinical signs

• Sample collection and safe handling procedures

• Field biosafety and biosecurity measures

• ASF surveillance and response protocols

• Packaging, storage and transportation of samples

On the second day, joint IICA, USDA and local veterinary teams conducted field visits to selected high-risk pig farming areas, including border communities and regions with high pig populations. Ear blood swab samples were collected for diagnostic testing at the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory at Plum Island.

The IICA Technical Specialist in Dominica, Anthony Cyrille highlighted the importance of strengthening Dominica’s preparedness, surveillance and response capacity to protect the pig “This pilot exercise is a critical, proactive step in safeguarding Dominica's pig industry. This is the culmination of approximately 2 years of capacity building of staff of the Livestock Unit alongside our USDA partners.

However, beyond capacity building we are making certain that our surveillance systems are on par with regional CARICOM standards as well as being in a

position to respond immediately and impactfully to any threat.

Early detection is the main strategy to combat ASF, and the collection and shipment of these samples is vital in our preparedness mechanisms.” he stated.

African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, with mortality rates approaching 100 percent. Although the disease poses no threat to human health, it represents a serious risk to pig production, food and nutrition security, farmers’ livelihoods, and regional trade.

With confirmed ASF outbreaks previously reported in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, regional stakeholders continue to emphasise the importance of early detection, preparedness, and coordinated response efforts to reduce the risk of spread across CARICOM member states.

The hosting of the sampling pilot reflects continued collaboration among regional and

international partners to strengthen animal health systems and safeguard the Caribbean livestock sector.