African swine fever hits Penang pig farms, 50 deaths confirmed
Its director, Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab, said that two of the three affected farms exhibited a high mortality rate among the livestock, raising concerns about the possible spread of the disease to neighbouring farms.
'Our team has been on the ground at the pig farms in Kampung Selamat since yesterday to conduct checks, as well as implement control and close monitoring measures to ensure the ASF outbreak can be contained swiftly and effectively.
'So far, two of the farms have reported the deaths of 50 pigs, with many more showing ASF symptoms. There are 63 pig farms involving approximately 120,000 pigs in the Kampung Selamat area,' she said in a statement today.
As a disease control measure, she said the JPVPP has issued a Notice of Restriction and Prohibition of Animal Movement under Section 18 of the Animals Act 1953 (Act 647) to the infected farms and imposed movement restrictions on pigs to only designated abattoirs to prevent the risk of disease spreading to other areas or districts.
Dr Saira Banu said the department is sampling pigs showing clinical signs at nearby farms for early detection, enhancing biosecurity monitoring, and advising all farmers to report any unusual livestock deaths promptly.
She said that ASF is not contagious to humans, but it significantly impacts the pig farming industry, especially in terms of animal movement restrictions and economic losses for farmers.
'JPVPP advises all pig farmers to strengthen biosecurity measures on their farms, including preventing outsiders or unsanitised vehicles into their premises.
'In addition, any sudden deaths or signs of disease among pigs should be immediately reported to JPVPP,' she also said.
She added that any further information or inquiries can be directed to the Seberang Perai Utara District Veterinary Services Office or directly to JPVPP.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
New ASF outbreak hits pig farm in Tasek Gelugor, Penang
KEPALA BATAS: The Penang Department of Veterinary Services (JPVPP) has confirmed a new case of African Swine Fever (ASF) at a pig farm in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor, raising the total number of infected farms in the area to four. JPVPP director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab stated that lab tests confirmed the latest infection but assured the outbreak remains under control. 'JPVPP is 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,' she said. She added that farms in Kampung Selamat, Seberang Perai Selatan, and Barat Daya remain ASF-free, with no significant increase in infected pigs. The announcement was made during the state-level Farmers, Breeders, and Fishermen's Day opening ceremony at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute. To date, 1,083 pigs have been culled at two infected farms, with carcasses buried on-site. Culling operations for the remaining two farms will begin soon. 'The culling process follows strict procedures on certified land. Disposal for the other farms will be on government-owned land in Seberang Perai Utara,' Saira Banu explained. She warned pig traders and farmers against sharing transport lorries to slaughterhouses to prevent cross-contamination. The total pig population across the four farms is estimated at 6,000. Earlier reports confirmed ASF in three Kampung Selamat farms, with two experiencing high mortality rates. – Bernama
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Another pig farm in Tasek Gelugor infected with ASF
KEPALA BATAS: The Penang Department of Veterinary Services (JPVPP) 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. JPVPP director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab said the confirmation was made based on lab test results conducted by the department but the ASF outbreak in the area remains under control. "JPVPP is 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 today. 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 tomorrow. Based on JPVPP 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 JPVPP. "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
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
African Swine Fever hits another Tasik Gelugor pig farm
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
