PIG farmers have been urged to give their full cooperation to the Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPV) to stop the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the situation is worsening and revealed that 11 pig farms have been hit by ASF.
“The number of farms hit by ASF has gone up from seven on Friday to 11 now.
“Of the four new farms, two were from central Seberang Perai and the remaining two were from south Seberang Perai.
“JPV will continue to visit pig farms and conduct tracing for ASF.
“We urge the pig farmers to give their full cooperation to the JPV to stop the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the state.
“There are farmers who tried to manage the situation themselves and refused to lodge a report (when their farms were hit by ASF). Such action is dangerous as the ASF virus has already hit the farms.
“We want to prevent ASF from hitting other pig farms. Please give your full cooperation to JPV,” he told reporters at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the ASF has become a major crisis for the pork industry in recent years and is affecting several regions around the world. It is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, and the mortality rate can reach 100%.
It is, however, not a danger to human health, but it has a devastating impact on the pig population and the farming industry. There is currently no effective vaccine against ASF.
Chow said three pig farms which were hit by ASF have been properly handled.
“The carcasses were buried on-site for farms which have space, and off-site for small farms which lack space.
“So far more than 4,000 pigs have been culled,” he added.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi