USDA Urges Travelers to Avoid Packing Pork to Help Prevent the Spread of African Swine Fever

Travelers from the U.S. Virgin Islands are being reminded to avoid packing pork products as a safeguard against the potential spread of African swine fever, a highly contagious disease that is deadly for pigs but not harmful to humans.

According to information from the United States Agricultural Department, “ASF is a contagious and deadly viral swine disease affecting domestic and feral swine of all ages. While properly prepared pork products are safe to eat, ASF’s deadly nature in swine could result in pork product shortages, disruptions to trade, and economic impacts. There is no treatment or vaccine, so the best way to protect pigs is by prevention.”

On Wednesday, the Source spoke to Fernando Lugo, an agriculturist who has been with the USDA for 23 years, about a protection zone for individuals traveling outside the territory. Lugo emphasized the importance of not transporting pork products to the U.S. mainland while an outbreak of African swine fever continues in the Caribbean region.

Lugo is stationed in the Dominican Republic, where he is positioned to help control the spread of the disease.