(NAFB) – The Department of Agriculture’s Wednesday investment includes $500 million in USDA Commodity Credit Corporation funds for prevention of and preparation for African swine fever.

The National Pork Producers Council applauded the funding as President Jen Sorenson says ASF is a serious disease, with serious consequences, adding, “We’re pleased USDA recognizes the severity of this threat.”

ASF is not a threat to people but is highly contagious among hogs and has a nearly 100 percent mortality rate. ASF was recently detected in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the first time in 40 years the disease has been in the Western Hemisphere. APHIS immediately took steps to stop the spread of the disease to the U.S. mainland and to the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Since ASF began spreading through Asia in 2018, NPPC has urged Congress and USDA to prepare for the disease, asking for funding and measures to protect the U.S. hog herd.