Recently, about one million pounds of pork products were smuggled into New Jersey from China, a country that has been experiencing outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF). ASF infected pork products are a disease threat to pigs if it gets into their food supply. The ASF virus can survive for three to six months in pork, even in a frozen state.
This incident caused alarm and prompted agricultural officials to step up efforts to keep the United States’ pigs protected from ASF and other foreign animal diseases.
The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) plays a proactive role in facing this emerging concern. The laboratory is now approved for ASF testing with two of its technicians passing the proficiency test. All of the equipment needed is in place in the lab.
What is African swine fever?
ASF, which has never been detected in the United States, is a highly contagious and deadly domestic and wild pig disease caused by a virus. There is no treatment or vaccine available for ASF.
Where is it now?
ASF has spread beyond Africa to other countries, such as China, Mongolia and Vietnam, as well as within parts of the European Union. The arrival of illegal pork products “within striking distance of Connecticut” in New Jersey has made ASF a “hot topic at the moment,” according to Professor and CVMDL Director Joan Smyth.
Are humans at risk?
Humans cannot catch it from pigs, and it is not a food safety risk. In other words, humans cannot become sick with ASF from being around pigs or eating pork that came from pigs infected with ASF.
