As candidates flock to Iowa State Fair, officials watch for African swine fever [View all]
Aug. 9 (UPI) -- As presidential hopefuls flock to the Iowa State Fair this weekend, officials there will be on the lookout for an unseen intruder: African swine fever.
The state has increased its health inspection requirements for pigs brought to the fair, which began Thursday. The extra precautions are meant to guard against the deadly virus, which has decimated China's hog population and is currently sweeping across Asia and parts of Eastern Europe.
"It's not in the U.S. right now. It's not in the Western Hemisphere right now," said Dr. Dave Pyburn, the vice president of science and technology at the National Pork Board. "But if it were to get here, we don't want it to spread."
The disease was reported in China a year ago. It has since infected the entire country, wiping out 30 to 40 percent of its herd, analysts estimate. It is now spreading across Asia and into Europe.
Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/08/09/As-candidates-flock-to-Iowa-State-Fair-officials-watch-for-African-swine-fever/5341565298175/
= new reply since forum marked as read