“According to ABC News, ASF has been detected in around 50 percent of pork products that are stopped at international airports.

The African swine fever (ASF) pandemic has once again put focus on the need for stringent biosecurity measures at crucial borders to prevent the spread of such diseases.

Although this does not cause illness in humans, it has devastating effects on the swine population and costly socio-economic effects. ASF causes disease and death in domestic pigs, warthogs and bush pigs.

One country I know to be strict with what travelers bring into its borders is Australia. Over 18 years ago, a relative from overseas visited us there. She was determined to snack healthy while on the plane trip coming over that she completely forgot she had put an apple in her bag until a customs official at Melbourne airport found it. Suffice it to say, that was the most costly apple she ever had! She ended up paying a fine of a few hundred Australian dollars.

Just recently, a 45-year-old Vietnamese woman was found to have a stash of undeclared raw and cooked pork and other food items in her luggage upon arrival at Sydney airport. Imagine the panic buttons it pressed as she brought in 4.6kg of pork even as there was a specific biosecurity risk because of the feared spread of ASF. Her visa was cancelled and she was deported. She can only apply for another visa after three years.

According to ABC News, ASF has been detected in around 50 percent of pork products that are stopped at international airports (abc.net.au).

If you’re heading overseas anytime soon, just be mindful of your destination country’s particular incoming passenger or customs declaration card, as well as any risk products that should not be brought.

If unsure, declare it anyway or best to leave it at home.