African swine fever (ASF) is a disease that is spreading around the world, especially in Asia and Europe. It has never been detected in Argentina, which is why the National Service for Food Safety and Quality (Senasa) has reinforced prevention measures within the country's borders and in controls on entry into the country at airports and ports.
The main risk of ASF entering the country is represented by waste from aircraft and ships transcontinental pigs from endemic countries, which can then be used to feed pigs, which is why Senasa reinforced controls on waste treatment and the illegal entry of pig products and by-products into airports and ports.
Pork products pose a high risk (such as sausages and salted meats) since the virus can remain in them for months. For this reason, it is important that travelers do not bring in these types of products without the corresponding health authorization, especially if they come from areas that suffer from the disease (Europe and Asia).
What tips should travelers consider to prevent transporting ASF?
- ASF affects domestic and wild pigs; there is no vaccine against it; the virus is highly resistant to the environment (even more so in meat products).
- PPA does not represent a danger to human health, nor does it affect the condition of contaminated food products.
- ASF can cause severe economic losses to Argentina due to its high lethality for pigs.
- Senasa allows the entry of Serrano and Iberian ham, Iberian loin, sliced or laminated, boneless, from Spain, in vacuum packaging or in original factory controlled atmosphere, duly labeled and identified and freely marketed in said country, according to the resolution. Senasa 655/17
- Senasa prohibits the entry of pork and its derivatives without authorization, as well as animals and reproductive material (semen and embryos) without the corresponding health certification: avoid sanctions.
- If you have been with animals in countries where the virus is present, avoid going to a farm in Argentina because objects can carry the virus.
What is the treatment of regulated waste to enter the country?
- Senasa arranges for the treatment of all waste that are generated in any means of transport that enters Argentina from abroad, or transits between regions of our country with different health status.
- Senasa orders inspection of passenger luggage from abroad and confiscation of any product or by-product of risk detected.
We are all responsible for keeping the country free of high-impact diseases in production and international trade.
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