As we told you last week, African Swine Fever was recently discovered in the Dominican Republic.

"It's a disease that pigs and pigs only. it doesn't effect man in any way and another other animal species except the swine populations in the world. There's no vaccine currently so it's deadly. The only way to get rid of it or eradicate it is to eradicate the animals that are infected," noted USDA Chief Veterinarian Jack Shere.

And that's why U.S. animal experts like Shere as well as the U.S. pork industry are at heightened alert. And while bio-security measures are in place and will be expanded at our nation's borders.

Now's the time to increase or beef up that bio-security to make it more impenetrable than it has been in the past," Dr. Shere said. "And to be aware of some of the things that they need to do to protect their farms."

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

More From PNW Ag Network