Global watchdogs: Preparing the U.S. for foreign animal disease threats

A single outbreak of a foreign animal disease (FAD)—whether foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, or peste des petits ruminants—can bring a nation’s livestock industry to a grinding halt. These viruses are fast-moving, hard to control, and devastating to animal health and rural economies alike. Infected animals may suffer painful symptoms or die. Even in countries where the diseases are not currently found, the threat looms large: trade restrictions, emergency culling, and lost market access can trigger billions in losses.

While the U.S. is currently free from all three of these FADs, an outbreak could carry staggering costs. In the case of African Swine Fever (ASF), for example, economic losses have been projected to exceed $50 billion and eliminate over 140,000 jobs. And for FMD, costs of up to $200 billion have been estimated from trade losses, and control measures, and lost production.

The ripple effects would reach well beyond the livestock sector. Supply chains, grain markets, consumer prices, and rural economies would all feel the strain. And because these viruses don’t respect borders, the most effective prevention begins far from U.S. soil.

At the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine’s (CVM) Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS), researchers are working to stay ahead of these threats by learning from the countries already living with them. Whether tracking virus evolution in Sri Lanka, evaluating control efforts in the Dominican Republic, or strengthening diagnostics in Africa, they’re generating insights that help protect U.S. herds—and the people and industries who depend on them. Find the full story here.