Russia discovers sausages imported from China containing African swine fever virus genes
Rosselkhoznadzor has detected the genome of the virus causing African swine fever (ASF) in sausages imported from China to the territory of the Trans-Baikal region, - the specialized agency announced.
Rosselkhoznadzor added that there were people who tried to smuggle sausages in violation of the recently issued temporary restrictions on the import of pork products from China – a disadvantaged area in terms of ASF.
In addition, the shipment was not accompanied by any veterinary documents proving its origin and food safety. As noted by Rosselkhoznadzor, all of these products were confiscated.
Photo illustration: AP Photo / Jens Meyer
In early August, the Ministry of Agriculture of China, the world’s largest pork producer, reported an outbreak of African swine fever in the northeastern province of Liaoning – the first case of African swine fever in China. Several more cases of ASF have since been detected in eastern and northeastern China.
ASF is a viral disease of domestic pigs and wild boars. In cases where pigs become infected, the mortality rate is almost 100%. The virus is not dangerous to human health or other animals, but threatens to cause irreparable damage to the livestock industry.
