KEPALA BATAS: The Penang Veterinary Services Department has confirmed that another pig farm in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor has been infected with African Swine Fever (ASF), bringing the total number of infected farms in the area to four.
Its director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab said the confirmation was made based on lab test results conducted by the department but assured that the ASF outbreak in the area remains under control.
"We actively conducting further investigations and collecting additional samples from the relevant farms. So far, the spread of the disease is under control, with only one more farm having tested positive.
"Other farms in Kampung Selamat and the districts of Seberang Perai Selatan and Barat Daya are still free from ASF and there hasn't been a significant increase in the number of infected pigs," she told reporters at the state-level Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day opening ceremony on Sunday (July 27).
The event held at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute here was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Saira Banu said 1,083 pigs have been culled at two of the four infected farms, with all carcasses buried on the farmers' lands.
Culling for the remaining two farms will begin on Monday. Based on the department’s inspections, many of the pigs have already died.
"The culling process is being carried out according to the prescribed procedures on the farmers' lands, certified as suitable by the department.
"Disposal for the remaining two farms will be carried out on government-owned land in Seberang Perai Utara, with permission from Tenaga Nasional Berhad. However, we have to proceed with caution as the area is quite risky," she said.
She also advised pig traders and farmers not to share transport lorries to slaughterhouses, as this could cause cross-contamination and further spread of ASF.
"We haven't calculated the estimated losses. But once a farm is confirmed positive, all livestock must be culled. The total pig population across the four infected farms is about 6,000," she added.
Previously, the media reported that three pig farms in Kampung Selamat have been affected by ASF, based on laboratory results from the northern zone veterinary laboratory.
Two of the three farms showed high mortality rates, raising concerns about the potential spread of ASF to nearby farms. - Bernama
