GEORGE TOWN, Jan 17 — The African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Penang has spread to four more pig farms in Central Seberang Perai and Southern Seberang Perai, raising the number of affected farms to 11 statewide since last Friday.
Seeking to curb its spread, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today advised pig farmers in the state to work with the Veterinary Services Department (DVS).
“To date, they have completed culling and disposal of the carcasses of about 4,000 pigs in three farms,” he told a press conference here.
He said the department will continue to take samples from all pig farms in the state and to expect culling to continue at all affected farms.
“We want to ask the farmers to fully cooperate with the DVS to stop the spread of the virus,” he added.
He noted that some farmers have refused to report cases to the DVS and tried to manage the outbreak in their farms on their own.
“This is dangerous as the virus is already in the area, it doesn’t have any vaccines and it could spread easily,” he said.
He said the state will have to find suitable lands for the disposal of the carcasses especially at places where there is a lack of space to bury the carcasses on-site.
Last Friday, Chow said a total 25,000 pigs from seven farms were confirmed positive for ASF and will be progressively culled.
The culling is done using the CO2 (High Concentration) gas method which is in accordance with the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Code of Practice-Animal Disposal Management.
ASF is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease for all domesticated and wild swine but cannot transmit to humans and does not pose a food risk.
