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Regional Preparedness: Kentucky & Tennessee Join Forces in African Swine Fever (ASF) Tabletop Exercise
Dr. Heather Simmons and Julie Stowell-Moss join Breathitt's effort to strengthen disease outbreak preparedness and response for ASF.
In February 2025, staff members from the Institute traveled to Kentucky to join Murray State University's Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville in hosting a two-day African Swine Fever (ASF) tabletop exercise, bringing together 43 key stakeholders from Kentucky and Tennessee. This collaborative effort united state agriculture departments, National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratories, industry partners, and federal agencies in a comprehensive simulation to evaluate regional preparedness for an ASF outbreak.
The diverse group of participants included representatives from both states' Departments of Agriculture, State Animal Health Officials (SAHOs), swine producers, veterinarians, agricultural organization leaders, Departments of Fish and Wildlife, and federal experts from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This multi-jurisdictional approach reflected the complex coordination required for an effective ASF outbreak response.
The ASF tabletop exercise represented a significant step forward in regional preparedness, demonstrating that while fundamental response capabilities exist, continued development of integrated systems and coordinated protocols is essential. By identifying strengths and areas for improvement, the exercise provided a roadmap for enhancing ASF preparedness across the agricultural spectrum in the region.
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