The African swine fever virus has spread to seven localities including Thanh Hoa, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Thai Binh, Hai Phong, Hai Duong and Hanoi.
In response, some travel destinations including Taiwan, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Dubai and the United States have placed a ban on all pork products coming from Vietnam, VnExpress reports.
Taiwan was the first country to enforce the ban; residents from Vietnam entering the country with pork products will be fined US$6,500. A second attempt will warrant a US$33,000 fine and denied entrance if the fine is not paid in full.
In Japan, passengers who fail to provide safety certification for food products they bring into the country will be fined US$8,900 or face three years in prison. Bringing risky items such as food from animals and plants to Australia requires declaration. If passengers are caught misreporting these items, they could be jailed and subjected to a US$298,000 fine.
These measures are applied to both raw and cooked products. Vietnam is the third country in Asia with pigs infected with African swine fever.
