African swine fever virus discovered in pork products in Australia, causing urgent warning

Authorities seized six pork products containing contagious African swine fever (ASF) at Australian airports and mail processing centers.

Of the 152 products tested at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, six have been shown to carry the deadly virus, officials said.

Australia currently has no case of African swine fever that can kill pigs.

This gloomy discovery made Australia fear to join the 360,000 cases of PPPs worldwide, which broke out in 19 countries last year.

African swine fever was detected in six of 152 pork products at airports and mail processing centers in Australia

Early intervention and destruction of all tested food products minimized the risk of further transmission to Australian cattle.

"The detection of the virus in the products seized at the border does not change the free status of African swine fever in Australia," said Lyn O. Connell, Biosafety Officer at the Department of Agriculture and Resources in water, at the Weekly Times.

Speaking on behalf of the country's 2,500 pork farmers and the 36,000 pork supply chain workers, Australian Pork also urged travelers to abide by local biosecurity laws.

"If you are traveling to Australia, do not bring with you any pork or animal products," said Australian Pork CEO Andrew Spencer.

Although humans are not susceptible to the disease, the PPP could have a devastating effect on the Australian pork industry, worth $ 5.3 billion.

Some strains of the virus have a 100% mortality rate in pigs.

Pbadengers who do not declare pork products when entering Australia may be fined $ 420,000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years.

The disease is highly contagious and some strains have a 100% mortality rate in pigs.