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On March 19, 2019, USDA released information on the agency’s activities aimed at preventing the entry of African swine fever (ASF) into the US. Just last week, USDA-trained detector dogs were instrumental in the discovery and seizure of 1 million pounds of prohibited Chinese pork coming into the US through the port at Newark, New Jersey, and headed to destruction per policy. In addition to information on USDA’s commitment to prevention in the release, it also contains a link to a video message from US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on this topic as well as resources on the disease, prevention, and tips for international travelers. The USDA release is reprinted in its entirety below. The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) has been collaborating with USDA and other swine-focused organizations including National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, and American Association of Swine Veterinarians to monitor and react to ASF spread in Asia and Europe as well as make plans should the disease reach the US.
Provides New Resources to Raise Awareness of the Deadly Disease
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2019 – Last week, USDA-trained detector dogs played a major role in the seizure of roughly 1 million pounds of pork smuggled from China where there is an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). The highly contagious and deadly disease affects both domestic and feral (wild) pigs and there is no treatment or vaccine available for it.
Today, since prevention is our best protection against the disease, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is sharing information about the importance of keeping ASF out of the United States. It is vital for everyone to know about ASF and how to prevent it, while keeping the U.S. pig population healthy.
To help people learn more about this disease, as well as the steps that can be taken to help protect U.S. pigs, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated its web content with additional information and links to partners’ resources. This information is available at www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/swine/asf.
Additionally, USDA is releasing four infographics on the following topics:
USDA is monitoring the recent outbreaks of ASF is Asia and Europe, and has proactively taken steps to increase our safeguarding efforts to keep the disease out of the United States. These steps include:
USDA is committed to working with the swine industry, our producers, other government agencies and neighboring countries to prevent the spread of ASF. USDA tracks animal disease outbreaks around the world and remains on high alert to protect our farmers, our consumers and our natural resources from ASF or any foreign animal disease.
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