The National Pork Board has been closely monitoring the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in China and other countries around the world. To date, ASF is not in the United States. The pork board has put together several resources that producers can utilize in preparation of a foreign animal disease, which you can find on their website.
The pork board also implemented a pork crisis alert text service, which you can sign up by texting PorkCrisis to 97296.
Some key facts about African Swine Fever from the National Pork Board include:
Pork is safe to eat. African swine fever is not in the United States. U.S. pigs are not affected by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in other countries, to date.
- ASF does not affect humans and therefore is not a public health threat according to USDA.
- As with any food product, you should always follow safe handling and cooking instructions to protect your family’s health.
African swine fever is a viral disease impacting only pigs, not people — so it is not a public health threat nor a food-safety concern.
- ASF cannot be transmitted to humans through contact with pigs or pork.
- ASF only affects members of the pig family.
The USDA does not allow the importation of pigs or fresh pork products into the U.S. from areas or regions of the world that are reported positive for the ASF virus.
- Restrictions are based on USDA’s recognition of the animal health status of the region and are enforced by the Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service.
- International travelers should be diligent in following all rules and regulations related to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reentry declarations.
To learn more about African swine fever, go to pork.org/FAD.
