For only the second time in its history, the National Pork Producers Council has canceled the World Pork Expo in Des Moines. Jim Monroe, the council’s communications director, says the decision was made out of an abundance of caution.

African Swine Fever is a viral disease that causes high death rates in pigs.  It does NOT present human health or food safety risks. Monroe says an outbreak of the disease in the U.S. would be a devastating economic blow to the livestock industry.