African Swine Fever Fears Foil World Pork Expo

(DES MOINES, IA) As Southeast Asia continues to deal with the deadly pig disease, African Swine Fever (ASF), concerns regarding its spread has led the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) to cancel World Pork Expo 2019. The annual event, held each June at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, hosts approximately 20,000 visitors over three days and routinely includes individuals and exhibitors from ASF-positive regions. African swine fever affects only pigs and presents no human health or food safety risks but there is currently no vaccine to treat the disease. The decision comes as pork producers gather in Washington to meet with their members of Congress during NPPC’s Legislative Action Conference. The group is asking for a strengthening of border security to protect the U.S. from a possible ASF outbreak.