18 pig farms in Penang hit by African swine fever

African swine fever (ASF) has continued to spread in Penang, with seven more pig farms hit, bringing the total number of farms affected by the outbreak so far to 18 in three districts.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said 48,194 animals were affected on these commercial pig farms, 14 of which are in the Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) district, and two each in the Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) and Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) districts.

"Previously, the farms infected with ASF were only in SPT and SPS, but sampling conducted by the Penang Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) confirmed that the disease has now spread more widely, and infected pigs in the area of Kampung Selamat in SPU.

"In order to control and prevent the spread of ASF disease, Penang DVS is conducting a stamping out policy through the culling of infected pigs in farms or those suspected to be infected in the infection zone, in accordance with the Malaysian Veterinary Protocol (PVM) for ASF disease," he said at a press conference at Perkampongan Valdor in Nibong Tebal yesterday.

He said a total of 4,204 pigs from infected farms in the SPS district had been culled so far, with operations ongoing to curb the spread of the disease. The disposal of the animals, which will continue, is expected to take weeks.
 
Chow said the state government had identified a 16-hectare land site in an area far from public settlements and with no development, to be used as a disposal site, so that this could be carried out smoothly without causing disruption to the public.

He also said that the supply of pork in Penang was safe and still sufficient to meet the needs of the people, especially ahead of the Chinese New Year celebration, as there are still farms which are free of the disease.

Meanwhile, state DVS director Saira Bani Mohamed Rejab, who was also present at the press conference, said her department was always transparent and provided all reports and results regarding the laboratory tests conducted by Penang JPV to the farmers involved.

She said DVS would provide compensation of between RM400 and RM800 for each adult pig, subject to conditions.