Vietnam Bans Live Pig Imports from Thailand

A ban on the import of live pigs from Thailand into Vietnam as the result of concerns related to African Swine Fever is scheduled to take effect next week. African Swine Fever is a highly pathogenic OIE reportable foreign animal disease that affects swine but does not affect humans and is not considered a food safety issue but the infection has serious trade implications.

In an effort to halt the spread of the infection, Vietnam is suspending the import of live pigs from Thailand effective June 30th, after finding the disease in shipment of pigs from that nation last month.

Dr. Paul Sundberg, the Executive Director of the Swine Health Information Center, says it is worth noting that Thailand has not yet identified any African Swine Fever outbreak.

Clip-Dr. Paul Sundberg-Swine Health Information Center:

Thailand has not yet officially reported any infections with ASF so that's still a gap but Vietnam has said we've imported pigs from Thailand. We know that they have ASF. We expect very well that they brought ASF into the country from Thailand so we're going to stop importation of those animals.

It's a notable thing in that Thailand has not yet officially reported ASF but it's probably not an unexpected thing in that that virus is continuing to circulate in China as well as the rest of southeast Asia. So, it's another step in recognising the movement of that virus through southeast Asia.