U.S. bolsters 'Beagle Brigade' to sniff out deadly hog virus
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The U.S. government will employ more dogs to sniff out illegal pork products at airports and seaports in an effort to keep out a contagious hog disease that has spread across Asia and Europe, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday.
The disease, African swine fever, can kill hogs in just two days, but is not harmful to people. China, home to the world’s largest hog herd, has reported more than 100 cases of the disease in 27 provinces and regions since August. Efforts to contain the fever have disrupted Chinese pork supplies.
U.S. officials decided to ramp up their fight to avoid the virus after Vietnam confirmed its first cases last month, said Greg Ibach, USDA’s undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs.
They will add 60 beagle teams at key U.S. commercial ports, seaports and airports, for a total of 179 teams, to expand arrival screenings and check cargo for illegal pork products that can carry the virus, according to USDA. The agency will work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Beagles and beagle mixes are the preferred breed of dog for this kind of work because of their keen sense of smell and gentle disposition.
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