(BPT) - Warmer temperatures mean the start of spring break and summer travel season! People are dreaming of beaches and faraway destinations but may not realize the risk that traveling can pose to their home nation.
Did you know pork products brought from one country into another could spread a deadly disease? African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and fatal virus that is currently infecting pigs around the world — and the virus has a nearly 100% mortality rate in both domestic and wild pigs.
To help protect pigs and the entire pork industry in the United States, it's crucial for travelers to avoid bringing any pork products — even cooked — into or between the U.S. mainland, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, in case those products are contaminated with ASF.
By learning about ASF, you can ensure your travels, cultural traditions, food experiences and explorations this travel season are safe. Here's what you need to know before you travel:
1. African swine fever looms just outside the U.S.
This contagious, fatal virus has already been found infecting pigs in approximately 120 countries around the world. While ASF does not pose a direct threat to human health, people who travel with pork or pork products can unwittingly spread the disease. ASF has already been detected in several Caribbean nations, prompting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a protection zone around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to help keep this deadly virus out of the United States.
While several countries may just be a plane, boat or car ride away, travel hopping across the Caribbean poses a high risk for ASF transmission, so it's essential that travelers in these highly sought-after spring and summer destinations are aware of the restrictions.
2. ASF poses a substantial risk to the United States economy
The United States is the second largest pork exporter in the world. According to the USDA, if ASF reaches the U.S., the virus will kill millions of pigs, creating pork shortages and raising food prices for everyone. An ASF outbreak would cost the U.S. agricultural industry billions of dollars, and thousands of people could lose their jobs. In fact, the USDA estimates that the cost of an ASF outbreak could be as high as $74 billion over the course of 10 years.
3. Protect your country and community from African swine fever: Don't pack pork
To prevent this deadly virus from reaching the U.S., the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) restricts certain pork products from transiting into and between the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
While you're exploring, trying new food or embracing local cultural traditions, it's important to keep this rule in mind. Everyone has a part to play when it comes to keeping ASF out of the country. Most importantly: Do not ship or pack pork and pork products when you are traveling to the U.S. Even cooked pork products can still carry the disease! With this simple yet vital action, you have the power to protect the U.S. agricultural industry as well as your local economy.
Unsure if a product you've packed could contain pork? Declare all meats and animal products to Customs and Border Protection when you travel so that you are not delayed returning home after your trip.
While you're traveling for spring break or summer vacations, remember: Don't pack pork! Learn more about ASF and your role in preventing its spread at www.aphis.usda.gov/stopasf.
