Feed ingredients are the new “Trojan horse” that helps move the African swine fever virus and they could bring the worst pig virus in the world to North America, according to Scott Dee, DVM and director of applied research at Keystone Veterinary Services. Speaking at the recent Animal AgTech Innovation Summit, he says the way grain is dried in Asia allows it to get contaminated by livestock vehicles driving over it. The ASF virus has been found in grain on the ground in China. The virus lives in soy products, too.
Source: The Pig Site, September 23, 2020. Link. “If this virus entered the US, it would cost us $16.5 billion dollars in the first year,” said Dee. “All the pork that the US exports – about 30% of our US production – would stop immediately.”
INSIGHTS: The ASF virus has a surprisingly long half-life in soybeans, soybean meal and soybean cake. This is worth being aware of, especially for those involved in animal nutrition and disease prevention.