Assessment of Regional Vulnerability to Africa Swine Fever in China
Based on a DEA Model
Abstract
In this study, we introduce the vulnerability index to measure the
regional ASF epidemic and present the ASF severity ratings of 31
provincial regions of China. The index is defined based on the data from
investigation, national statistical yearbook and reports. The data to be
used includes pig breeding, financial resources, human resources,
epidemic information of ASF and price fluctuation from the 31 regions.
Then we use the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to define the
vulnerability index, the relative severity values for each region which
quantitatively reflect the damage degree caused by the epidemic of ASF.
The method allows us to provide a systematic classification for regional
vulnerability level of ASF in China. Using the index, we find that the
vulnerability of the whole country is at a high level, and there is no
regional aggregation phenomenon. The vulnerability level of the 31
provinces are quite different and the provinces with high vulnerability
level are dispersive geographically. For the five major prevention and
control zones for ASF in China, the northern region has the highest
vulnerability level, while the level of eastern zoon is the lowest.