When outbreaks of animal disease strike, the news headlines can be awfully confusing for consumers. It’s no wonder reports of African swine fever (ASF) in Germany have German consumers buzzing with questions about the safety of pork, especially when they hear the virus can remain infectious in food over several months.
“The ASF pathogen cannot be transferred to humans,” explains Dr. Andreas Hensel, professor and president of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. “No risk to health is posed by direct contact with diseased animals or from eating food made from infected domestic pigs or wild boar.”
Although the U.S. does not have ASF, I think it’s more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve in terms of instilling consumer confidence in pork. Research shows that even though people are taught about ASF, they still don’t understand it.
And I can’t blame them – it’s a complicated disease. We have to be transparent about what’s happening and how we are preparing for the possibility of an ASF outbreak.
Ultimately, the most important message we can share is that pork is safe to eat. Here are four things to share with your friends and neighbors the next time someone brings up the topic of ASF.
1. Your family is safe.
ASF is a contagious viral disease that impacts pigs only. It is not a public health threat or food safety concern.
“There is no physical way a human can contract ASF,” says Dr. Kevin Sharrett, a primary care physician from Ohio. “It cannot be transmitted to humans through contact with pigs or pork.”
Jose Mendin, an award-winning, Miami-based chef, is on a mission to help consumers understand that there is no need to stop cooking and eating pork. As with any food product, however, it’s important to follow safe handling and cooking instructions.
“Pork is safe,” Mendin says. “Read into it and you’ll find out there’s nothing to be worried about.”
2. ASF is a disease of swine only.
There is no evidence that ASF infects humans. It is highly adapted to swine only. ASF also cannot infect your non-swine pets or other livestock.
“Most viruses demonstrate some degree of host restriction; they replicate in one cell type or host and not in another. While there are exceptions, this is the general rule, not the exception. In the case of the ASF virus, there is no evidence supporting either subclinical or clinical infection of humans,” says Dr. Dan Rock, professor in the Department of Pathobiologies at the University of Illinois.
ASF is transmitted to pigs through direct contact with infected pigs, their waste, blood, contaminated clothing, feed, equipment and vehicles, and in some cases, some tick species. That’s why it’s extremely important for people to follow good biosecurity practices around pigs.
3. Sick animals do not enter the food supply.
The USDA has strict protocols in place to prohibit sick animals from entering the food chain.
We do not have ASF in the United States at this time. Even if we do get ASF in the U.S. swine herd, there are plans in place to make sure the meat from sick animals does not get into the food chain, even though it does not present a health risk to humans.
Pigs or fresh pork products are not allowed into the U.S. from countries that are ASF-positive. Restrictions are based on USDA’s recognition of each region’s animal health status and are enforced by the Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service.
4. ASF is not a public health threat.
Because there is no way a human can contract ASF, this virus is not a public health threat or food safety concern.
“ASF is a concern because it severely impacts the health and well-being of pigs, and eliminating this disease is challenging. It’s critical we understand the disease and continue to work to prevent it from entering the U.S.,” says Dr. Ann Garvey, Iowa Public Health Veterinarian. “But rest assured it’s not a human health or food safety concern and the pork that you purchase remains a safe and healthy food choice.”
It’s important to try and understand the facts. “When you look at the facts, you come away quite confident that the virus poses no risk to humans,” he says.
Read more about ASF at https://www.porkbusiness.com/topics/african-swine-fever.
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