African swine fever spreads to southwest Penang

The African swine fever (ASF) has spread to Penang's southwest district, resulting in the closure of three more pig farms.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that as of yesterday, 27 pig farms in Penang and 62,197 pigs had been affected by the ASF disease.

"Currently, the number of pig farms affected by ASF comprises 18 in the South Seberang Perai district, two in Central Seberang Perai, four in North Seberang Perai, and three in Barat Daya," he told reporters in George Town today.

He said transportation was among the factors behind the spread of the disease, and that 11,943 pigs from farms with confirmed cases had been culled so far. 

He said culling was still being carried out to contain the spread of the disease, with the pig carcasses buried in an area far from public settlements and without causing a public nuisance.

"The Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPV) also sent an application for compensation for 10 pig farms that have completed the disposal process, to the Veterinary Services headquarters in Putrajaya to be taken to the next level of action (federal government)," he said.

However, Chow said Penang would not face any shortages of pork as the state is an exporter of the meat to other states.

He said based on a 2022 census by the Penang JPV, there are 124 pig farms in four districts in Penang with a pig population of 267,348.

"Penang still has more than 90 pig farms that have not been affected by ASF, and a shortage of pork in the market will not occur," he said.

Chow said Penang has 170 officers from various agencies to manage the spread of the disease, and asked farmers and the public to immediately report any death of wild boars, village pigs or commercial pigs to the nearest district JPV or Penang Veterinary Services Office, or through the Penang JPV Disease Crisis Management Room hotline at 04-5041047.