12 Aug 2019 --- Almost five million pigs in Asia have now died or been culled because of the spread of African swine fever (ASF), according to reports by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs was first detected in Asia a year ago. With FAO support, countries across the region are ramping up preparedness efforts to prevent further spread of the disease. In this global epidemic, small-scale farms that lack the capital and expertise to mitigate the crisis are hit the hardest, FAO emphasizes.
