More African Swine Fever Cases Confirmed in SE Asia

(ROME, ITALY) While the number of new African swine fever (ASF) cases in China is declining – with just one new case reported last week – the number of cases in Vietnam continue to grow. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), three provinces in Vietnam reported their first confirmed cases of ASF since the outbreak began last August. That country now has 336 cases leading to the culling of nearly 47,000 pigs. The death toll in China is near or above one-million head, and about ten percent of the total pig population in Mongolia has died or been destroyed due to ASF. Though the viral disease in pigs causes no human safety concerns, it is highly-contagious and leads to a high rate of mortality to an infected swine – including feral hogs. The outbreak is leading to higher pork prices in the region as it provides an opportunity for increased imports of product from the United States. Unfortunately, it also leads to a decrease in demand for U.S. soybeans, as the number of hogs on feed in China has been severely decreased.