Korean Swine Fever Outbreak Could Lead To More Alberta Pork Heading Overseas

Sep 23, 2019
South Korea reported its first case of African Swine fever earlier this week.
 
Media reports says it was at a farm near the border with North Korea, who saw an outbreak in May.
 
There is no known cure for the virus deadly to pigs, but it doesn't affect human health.
 
Alberta Pork Executive Director, Darcy Fitzgerald, says Korea is a large pork importer and one of Canada's main customers.
 
"The Asian countries which have had African Swine Fever enter into their country, we just see it growing progressively, and it's unfortunate for them. Whether or not that'll translate into things for us, with more sales and that kind of thing, we'll have to wait and see."
 
He says the virus killing pigs can spread from people, wildlife, other pigs, and feed ingredients.
 
"If you have a bordering country that has the problem, I think most people would say it's not if, but when," he said. "When we saw it enter China, after that it just became which country is next."
 
Fitzgerald says both North and South American countries are working hard to keep the disease out.
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