Indonesia confirms ASF outbreak, Australia in high-alert
The deadly disease that has already wiped 25% of the world's swine population was confirmed in Indonesia and sets high alert in neighbouring countries such as Australia and New Zealand. The outbreak was confirmed in the province of North Sumatra late last week, with pig deaths in other provinces also being investigated.
Australian travellers to Asia are being warned not to bring back food and footwear that endanger the country's free-disease status. "Bali is a favourite holiday destination for Australians and it's also a region with a lot of pigs", commented Minister of Agriculture Bridget McKenzie, according to ABCNews. Australians caught bringing in pork products could face criminal prosecution or civil court action, and be ordered to pay up to AU$420,000 ($290,000) and be sentenced to up to 10 years in jail. An extra $45 million was given by the government to bolster biosecurity at the borders.
Foreigners caught with pork products in their luggage are refused to enter the country.
African swine fever (ASF) has now spread to 11 Asian countries including: China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, North Korea, Laos, Myanmar, The Philippines, South Korea, Timor-Leste and now Indonesia, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN.
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