Biosecurity Protocols when Traveling from ASF-positive Locations

December 19, 2019 — 

Animal diseases don't mean that life stops. Vietnam and China have been battling the African Swine Fever (ASF) for the past months. The effects have been devastating for pork production in those countries. However, there is still business being conducted industrially, agriculturally, and commercially. Travel is still happening to these locations. Not only are business and vacation traveling happening, but there are also researchers going to these locations to learn about ASF and what we can do to keep this disease out of the Western hemisphere. [Source: Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, 11 Dec 2019, by Dustin Hoffmann]

So, what happens when all these travelers come back into the United States? What is being done to help protect our animal herds here? The answer is simple, yet very extensive.

Dr. Paul Sundberg is the Executive Director of the Swine Health Information Center. He talks about one experience he had at a hotel in Vietnam, which helps highlight the fact that you should be prepared to abandon clothes and shoes that you wore around in some areas. Listen to the interview at IARN.