The Swine Health Information Center in Ames, Iowa is closely watching the African Swine Fever reports from the Chinese government and people on the ground. Executive Director Paul Sundberg says ASF is likely a bigger problem than what’s being reported. “If a pig comes in contact with it, the pig will get infected and die. There’s no doubt it’s contagious and it’s got high morbidity associated with it,” says Sundberg. “What it doesn’t have is high transmissibility. It’s not a porcine epidemic diarrhea-like infection that would go through the farm.” Sundberg says China’s hog industry will need to transition toward better biosecurity measures. The U.S. is taking precautions for ASF, but Sundberg says it’s still possible for the virus to get here.
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