Penang JPV Takes Pig Samples To Detect ASF

GEORGE TOWN, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPVPP) is actively conducting investigations and further sampling at pig farms to detect African swine fever (ASF) in the state.

State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said so far, three farms in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor near here remain confirmed positive for ASF, while other farms are still under further investigation.

"A total of 13 pig samples from slaughterhouses originating from farms in North Seberang Perai (SPU), four samples from South Seberang Perai (SPS) and one sample from Southwest were found to be positive for ASF at the slaughterhouse.

"However, the positive status of ASF will only be confirmed when the test results from the farms confirm the presence of ASF and to date, three farms have remained confirmed positive for ASF at the farm level while the rest are still under further investigation," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He said a total of 822 pigs have been culled so far by JPVPP involving two of the three farms that were confirmed positive.

H'ng said JPVPP is also actively conducting further investigations and sampling at the relevant farms and the number of positive farms is expected to increase after the laboratory results have been received.

At the same time, he said efforts were being made to identify suitable disposal sites to ensure that the disposal process was carried out safely and in compliance with environmental guidelines.

ASF is not a zoonotic disease, meaning it cannot infect humans and does not endanger human health or affect food safety. This disease only affects the pig population," he said.

He said JPVPP would also continue to monitor the situation continuously and work with all relevant agencies to immediately curb the spread of ASF.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at a press conference said the state government was identifying alternative lands to be used as a disposal site for pig carcasses infected with ASF.

Chow said the effort is being carried out by the SPU District Office together with JPVPP as a precautionary measure in case additional disposal areas are needed.

''So far, the destroyed pig carcasses have been planted in their respective farm areas as a preliminary control measure and only JPVPP has been given the authority to conduct inspections and tests on all livestock farms to identify whether there are positive cases of ASF,'' he said.

Previously, the media reported that three pig farms in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor were confirmed positive for ASF infection based on laboratory test results conducted by the Northern Zone Veterinary Laboratory.

JPVPP director Dr. Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab reportedly said that two of the three farms also showed high livestock mortality rates, raising concerns about the potential spread of ASF to nearby farms.          

-- BERNAMA