GEORGE TOWN, Feb 14 — African Swine Fever (ASF) in Penang has spread to 30 commercial farms and infected 68,659 pigs, according to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

Nineteen farms are located in South Seberang Perai, followed by six in North Seberang Perai, three in Southwest district on the island and two in Central Seberang Perai.

"The spread of the disease is slowing down and there are fewer incidences of pig carcasses at the abattoirs with signs of ASF and there were no complaints of a high number of pigs dying in the farms,” it said in a statement today.

The DVS said that this showed its elimination policy to control and prevent the spread of ASF through the destruction of infected or suspected pigs within the infected zone, done in accordance with the Malaysian Veterinary Protocol (PVM), was effective.

"As at February 14, a total 14,385 pigs from 14 affected farms have been culled,” it said.

Out of the 19 affected farms in South Seberang Perai (SPS), culling in 14 farms has been completed while it is still in process for the remaining five farms there.

It said the culling process in the two affected farms in Central Seberang Perai (SPT) has completed while it is still underway for the six farms in North Seberang Perai (SPU) and three in Southwest district of the island.

The DVS has also submitted applications for aid for 10 affected farms to alleviate the burden faced by the farmers.

"The ASF outbreak has led to huge losses and the applications were submitted to the DVS headquarters in Putrajaya to be forwarded to the federal government,” it said.

The DVS issued that the pork supply in Penang is still at more than 100 per cent of the self-sufficiency level where there are still 94 commercial pig farms that are not affected by ASF.

"There are a total 198,586 pigs from 33 farms in SPS, 58 in SPU, two in SPT and one in Southwest district on the island,” it said.

It said operations in these farms are as normal and they are allowed to send their pigs to the abattoirs while DVS officers will continue to inspect the pork to ensure those sold in the market are free from ASF.

The DVS reminded the public that the ASF only infects pigs and wild boars, and is not a zoonotic disease that would spread to humans or other animals.

It said the disease spreads rapidly among pigs with a 100 per cent mortality rate and causes a huge economic impact.