Swine Flu Update on Import Restrictions Placed on U.S. Pork, WHO Pandemic Alert Level 5
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have posted updated information on Swine Influenza A (H1N1).
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WHO Raises Level of Pandemic Alert From 4 to 5
The WHO Director-General Chan has raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5 (with 6 being the maximum). Chan stated that all countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. At this stage, effective and essential measures include heightened surveillance, early detection and treatment of cases, and infection control in all health facilities.
9 Countries Place Import Restrictions on U.S. Pork and/or Pork Products, Etc.
As of April 29, 2009, FSIS reported1 that the following countries have placed certain import restrictions on U.S. pork and/or pork products, presumably due to the recent outbreak of H1N1 (see FSIS link below for additional details):
China: all fresh/frozen and heat treated pork and pork products from or transshipped through California, Kansas, New York, Ohio, and Texas are banned, effective April 27, 2009.
Russia: all fresh/frozen pork from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Florida is banned, effective April 21, 2009. In addition, all fresh/frozen poultry meat, pork and beef from California, Texas, Kansas, New York and Ohio, is banned, effective April 21, 2009, and all heat-treated poultry meat, pork and beef from these states is banned, effective April 26, 2009.
Kazakhstan: fresh/frozen and heat-treated pork and pork products from swine raised or slaughtered in the states of Texas, California and Kansas are banned on or after April 27, 2009.
Honduras: all fresh/frozen raw pork and pork products are banned, effective April 24, 2009.
Thailand: all raw pork is banned, effective April 27, 2009.
UAE: all pork and pork products are banned, effective April 27, 2009;
Indonesia: all pork and pork products are banned, effective April 27, 2009;
Ukraine: all raw and heat-treated pork and pork products shipped after April 21, 2009 are banned.
St. Lucia: all raw pork and pork products are banned, effective April 27, 2009;
U.S. Officials Say Bans Not Based on Scientific Evidence, U.S. Pork Is Safe
USTR Kirk states that the restrictions on U.S. pork or pork products or other meat products due to the recent outbreak do not appear to be based on scientific evidence and may result in serious trade disruptions without cause. USTR Kirk urges all trading partners to base any food safety measures taken to protect their populations on scientific evidence and in accordance with their international obligations.
USDA Secretary Vilsack states that while the U.S. continues to closely monitor for cases of the new H1N1, the U.S. food supply is safe. There is no evidence at this time that swine has been infected with this virus, and that the science is clear that consuming or handling pork, consistent with safe handling practices, is of no risk to consumers.
U.S. Trying to Get Nations to Reverse Bans on U.S. Pork
USDA also reported on April 28, 2009 that U.S. officials are trying to get several nations to reverse their bans on U.S. pork products as they are not based on scientific fact.
CDC Says Pattern of More Severe Illness in Humans May be Emerging
The CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the U.S.'s first fatality from this outbreak. According to CDC, the more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S.
1 FSIS documents related to this swine flu outbreak are subject to frequent change
(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/28/09 news, 09042815, for previous BP summary of swine flu information from USDA and other agencies.)
WHO Website available at http://www.who.int/en/
FSIS Export Requirements for Thailand, UAE, Indonesia, Russia, Ukraine, Honduras, Kazakhstan, St. Lucia, and China available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp
USTR/USDA press release (dated 04/28/09) available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2009/April/asset_upload_file834_15599.pdf
USDA FAQ (updated 04/29/09) available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0131.xml
USDA Daily Radio Newsline available at http://audioarchives.oc.usda.gov/radnewsserv.asp
CDC Swine Flu Website (updated 04/29/09) available at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_001