As you finalize your travel plans to attend AASV’s 50th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, please remember to do your part to protect the U.S. swine herd from foreign animal diseases, including African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF), and foot and mouth disease (FMD).
If you are traveling from a country or have recently visited a country with cases of ASF, CSF, or FMD, remember to prioritize biosecurity:
- Declare international farm visits upon entry into the United States
- Do not bring prohibited foods into the United States
- Follow farm biosecurity measures and downtime requirements (recommended minimum 5 nights with no swine contact) if visiting a U.S. farm
- Do not wear any items, including footwear, from your international farm visit to a U.S. farm
Declaring Farm Visits in ASF, CSF, or FMD Positive Countries to Customs
When returning to the United States after visiting a farm or being in contact with animals in a country (or countries) with African swine fever, or any other foreign animal disease, you should declare this information to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol via written form, airport kiosk, or verbally. Then you should be diverted for an ag secondary screening by an ag specialist. The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, and American Association of Swine Veterinarians are asking you to report your experience if you are not diverted for secondary screening with return to the United States following overseas travel.
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 will be aggregating this information and the organizations will share with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to help identify any weaknesses in their protocol and systems.