Swine fever outbreak worsens

JAKARTA: The African swine fever (ASF) and hog cholera outbreak affecting pigs in North Sumatra in the past few months has worsened, spreading to 18 regencies and cities across the province. As many as 42,000 pigs have been killed by ASF and hog cholera, with the majority – around 27,000 pigs – dying between September and December last year, according to the latest data from the North Sumatra Food Security and Livestock Agency.

Agency head Muhaimin said the virus had also spread to two more regencies in addition to the 16 affected in December, namely Batubara regency and Mandailing Natal regency.