Keeping African swine fever (ASF) out of the United States requires more than diligence on the farm. International travelers returning home, or those visiting from other countries, present another significant risk. All international travelers entering the United States after visiting a farm or being in contact with animals in a country (or countries) with ASF, or any other foreign animal disease, should declare this information to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) via written form, airport kiosk, or verbally. The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), National Pork Board (NPB), and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) continue to ask international travelers to report if they were not diverted for secondary screening upon arrival in the United States. CBP has responded to the submission of the pork industry’s reports about missed secondary screenings with new processes and enhanced, proactive measures.
CBP has been very appreciative of receiving information from the pork industry. In response, CBP is emphasizing with the Customs agents that all travelers reporting farm contact while abroad should receive a secondary screening. Re-entry kiosks have been reprogrammed to automatically divert travelers for secondary screening if farm contact is reported. CPB continues to develop specific metrics to measure the success and consistency of their screening process and will share those results with the pork industry.
If you are NOT diverted for secondary screening after declaring you have been on a farm or in contact with animals in an ASF or other foreign animal disease positive nation, please email the following to psundberg@swinehealth.org:
- Your name (optional – please specify if you do NOT want your name shared)
- Country (or countries) visited
- Date and time of return
- Airline and flight number
- Arrival airport
- Declaration method (written form, kiosk, or verbal)
- Customs and Border Patrol employee name, if possible (displayed on right side of shirt)
- Any other pertinent circumstances
Dr. Sundberg aggregates this information so SHIC, AASV, NPB, and NPPC can share it with CBP to help identify areas for continued focus. Funded by America’s pork producers to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd, the Swine Health Information Center focuses its efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research for the benefit of swine health. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Paul Sundberg at psundberg@swinehealth.org.