African swine fever (ASF) is currently very prevalent in some Balkan countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo). In order to prevent the introduction of this highly contagious animal disease into Austria, there will be priority checks on travellers in the coming weeks.

It is primarily meat or sausage products, especially those from private production, which have not been subjected to official controls that can bring the virus into Austria. The transport of such products (including raw ham, sausage products, meat spreads, etc.) from non-EU countries is prohibited. For this reason, priority checks are carried out on these foodstuffs when travelling over Christmas.

Household quantities of meat and sausage products may be brought in from EU member states, provided they have undergone a proper veterinary inspection in the country of origin. This can be assumed for products that are regularly sold (e.g. supermarket goods).

The virus itself poses no health risk to humans. However, if, for example, leftover sausage is thrown away somewhere outdoors or fed to pigs in an illegal manner, the virus can be transmitted to wild and domestic pigs in Austria. This in turn would have serious consequences for wild animals and farms.

The priority controls are carried out by customs together with the Ministry of Health, AGES and the Federal Office of Consumer Health (BAVG).

Animal disease radar: Information on the spread of African swine fever in Europe