Latest news with #pigfarms
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
800 pigs culled after African swine fever affects 3 Penang farms
Penang local government committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said pork from healthy pigs remains safe for consumption and African swine fever does not spread to humans. (Envato Elemens pic) GEORGE TOWN : More than 800 pigs have been culled after African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed at three pig farms in Penang. Local government committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said traces of the virus were detected at slaughterhouses, with the infected pigs traced back to farms in three districts. 'But lab tests have only confirmed ASF at three farms so far. The rest are still under investigation. 'We expect more positive cases once the results come in,' he told reporters. H'ng said 822 pigs have been culled at two of the affected farms, while a third farm remains under close observation. 'We've banned the movement of pigs from affected farms to stop the spread,' he said. He said pork from healthy pigs remains safe for consumption and the virus does not spread to humans. 'We are also stepping up checks at farms and abattoirs and will act fast to contain the outbreak,' he said. H'ng urged farmers to report sick or dead pigs quickly and to strictly follow biosecurity protocols. Penang veterinary services department director Dr Saira Banu Rejab said in a statement on July 13 that two farms at Kampung Selamat had recorded 50 pig deaths.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Penang culls over 800 pigs over African Swine Fever, assures public no human risk
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — A total of 822 pigs from two farms in Penang have been culled due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) as of July 17. According to the local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye, a total 13 samples from farms in North Seberang Perai, four from South Seberang Perai and one from the Southwest district on the island were found to be positive for ASF. 'To date, three farms are confirmed to be positive for ASF, while the rest are still under further investigation,' he said when contacted today. He said so far the 822 pigs culled have been disposed and the pigs were from two of the three farms that were confirmed to have positive cases. 'The Penang Veterinary Services Department (DVS) is actively conducting investigations and further sampling at the relevant farms,' he said. He said the number of farms with positive ASF results are expected to increase once the lab results are out. He said the DVS is also identifying suitable disposal sites to carry out safe disposal of the carcasses in compliance with environmental guidelines. He stressed that ASF is a zoonotic disease which cannot infect humans so it does not pose a threat to human health and does not affect food safety. Earlier, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said currently the culled pigs have been buried within the compounds of the respective farms. 'The DVS and district office are looking for other suitable sites in case there is a need,' he said. He added that all pig farms are being inspected and the DVS is carrying out tests to identify positive cases.
Malay Mail
13-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Deadly African swine fever hits three Penang farms, over 50 pigs dead as authorities impose lockdown to contain spread
TASEK GELUGOR, July 13 — The Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPVPP) has confirmed that three pig farms in Kampung Selamat have been affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) based on laboratory results from the Northern Zone Veterinary Laboratory. 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 yesterday. 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. — Bernama
