On Monday, October 27, 2025, the African Swine Fever (ASF) Sampling Pilot initiative commenced at the People’s Place Conference Centre on Nugent Avenue. This event marked the launch of a tripartite collaboration under the IICA–USDA Surveillance and Response to Prevent ASF in the Americas Project, involving the Ministry of Agriculture, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The session was chaired by Marcelle Freeland, Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, and began with opening prayers led by Dianne Gomes, a Veterinary Technician. Craig M. Thomas, National Specialist from the IICA Delegation in Antigua and Barbuda, emphasized the commitment to enhancing Veterinary Services across the Caribbean, stating, ‘This simulation exemplifies our collaborative efforts to bolster technical capacity in emergency scenarios.’ Fernando Hugo, a USDA representative, and Dr. Ericka Calderon, ASF Project Manager at IICA Headquarters, also addressed the gathering remotely. Gregory Bailey, Director of Agriculture, delivered the keynote speech, highlighting the Ministry’s dedication to fortifying animal health systems and ensuring preparedness against ASF. ‘The development of a robust ASF Surveillance and Response Plan is critical,’ he asserted. ‘ASF’s near-total mortality rate and socio-economic repercussions pose a severe threat to the swine industry, particularly in small island nations where agriculture is vital to rural development.’ Following the opening remarks, participants were introduced to teams from the USDA, the Ministry of Agriculture, and IICA. Dr. Calderon provided an overview of the USDA/FAS–IICA ASF Project, detailing its objectives, regional scope, and technical support framework aimed at enhancing national capacity in ASF prevention and response. Dr. Tubal Edwards, Chief Veterinary Officer, presented a comprehensive profile of Antigua and Barbuda’s swine industry, outlining the sector’s structure, the role of the Veterinary Services Division, and existing disease preparedness systems. He stressed the importance of surveillance and coordinated response strategies in mitigating animal health threats. The morning session concluded with a presentation by Dr. Christopher Hamilton-West, Epidemiologist, who discussed epidemiological surveillance in the context of ASF, supported by a video illustrating field surveillance, data collection, and outbreak containment best practices. The initiative will continue on Tuesday, October 28, with experts and technicians visiting local farms to conduct hands-on exercises aimed at identifying, containing, and reducing the impact of potential ASF outbreaks.
Antigua Focuses on Early Detection and Prevention of African Swine Fever
