Two new strains of African Swine Fever have infected over 1,000 sows on several farmers owned by China’ fourth largest pork producer. SDSU Extension Veterinarian Dr. Russ Daly says this development means America’s pork producers need to remain diligent with their biosecurity measures and the efforts to keep the virus out of the U.S. need to continue.

Many Chinese farmers turned to unapproved products to help protect their animals and Chinese experts fear the illicit vaccines created accidental infections that have begun to spread. Daly says in the U.S. the vaccines that are being used are safe and reliable.

He says U.S. animal health officials are continuing their focus of keeping ASF out of the United States.

There is no approved vaccine for African Swine Fever, which is not harmful to humans.