What Does Biosecurity on Pork Operations Look Like to You?

Feb 03, 2025

The only cure at this time for African swine fever (ASF), a deadly virus that affects swine, is prevention. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) is looking for entries in its ASF “I Protect Pigs” photo contest.

This contest promotes the importance of good biosecurity behaviors by encouraging the public to submit a photo of owner/pig safety practices in action. Entries will be accepted until midnight on Feb. 14.

Winners will be featured on APHIS’ site and social media channels to help promote the important role biosecurity plays in foreign animal disease prevention.

Here are a few picture-perfect ways to safeguard America’s swine:
• Limiting on-farm traffic
• Wearing clean clothes and shoes around pigs
• Washing on-farm equipment and vehicles
• Preventing contact with feral pigs
• Storing feed where wildlife can’t get it
• NOT eating ‘people-food’ near animals

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Video: Trailer Biosecurity at Harvest Plants - Dr. Lucas Ferreira

In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Lucas Ferreira, a Research Assistant at the University of Minnesota, discusses trailer contamination risks at packing plants. He shares research on pathogen prevalence, seasonal trends, driver biosecurity practices, and factors contributing to contamination during transport. He highlights opportunities to strengthen biosecurity and reduce disease transmission across swine operations. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Trailer washing gaps allow harvest plant contamination to increase pathogen risk before equipment returns to farms or wash facilities."

Meet the guest: Dr. Lucas Ferreira https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-fer... is a veterinarian from Brazil currently pursuing a master's degree at the University of Minnesota. His work focuses on swine pathogen epidemiology, detection, control, and prevalence, with an emphasis on science-driven solutions that improve herd health and biosecurity. Learn more from Dr. Lucas Ferreira on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.