What Diseases Are You Bringing Home from IPVS?

June 14, 2018 — 

As the 2018 International Pig Veterinary Society meeting in Chongqing, China draws to a close and participants return home, it's important to consider what diseases might be traveling with you. Livestock herds in China are potentially exposed to diseases not found in other parts of the world. There was an announcement just this week of an outbreak of FMD serotype O in Anhui province which is the same province from which PED virus traveled to the U.S.

In addition to FMD, the Swine Health Information Center reports there are other diseases that are endemic in China and that deserve attention. Classical swine fever infections are common. The Chinese pork industry and officials are working to get it under control, but so far with limited success. Novel strains of PRRS, pseudorabies and PED and other new and related coronaviruses are pathogens and diseases currently circulating in the pig population and could be at risk of transporting back to a naive herd.

Many of these viruses can be transmitted via animal tissues, your person, clothing and equipment. Even if you don't come in contact with livestock, there is a risk of unknown contact with pathogens by interacting with others in attendance or while traveling. Thus, it is important to minimize the risk of transmitting live virus to susceptible animals.

AASV, NPB and SHIC recommend the following steps you can take to minimize transmission of viruses to susceptible livestock:

1. Wear disposable clothes and boots when on the farm or leave the farm clothing there.
2. Do not bring meat products back home (some viruses can survive in processed meat products).
3. Do not bring equipment that was on a farm back home.
4. Upon arrival, inform Customs and Border personnel that you were on a farm in China.
5. Thoroughly wash all clothing that was worn on a farm or came into contact with contaminated clothing. All clothing and shoes worn in China should be thoroughly cleaned before visiting farms back home.
6. Shower thoroughly (full body, hair and fingernails), spit and blow your nose before contact with susceptible livestock.
7. Do not come into contact with susceptible livestock for at least 48 hours after returning home.

In addition, below are links to a couple of factsheets put together by AASV, National Pork Board and the Center for Food Security and Public Health describing biosecurity practices associated with international travel.

Hosting International Visitors on Your Farm

Traveling Overseas