THE African swine fever (ASF) has now spread to Penang’s southwest district, resulting in the closure of three more pig farms.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said as of yesterday, 27 pig farms in Penang have been affected by the ASF disease, involving 62,197 pigs.

“Currently, 18 pig farms in the South Seberang Perai district are affected, Central Seberang Perai (2), North Seberang Perai (4) and three in the southwest,” he told reporters in George Town today.

He said transporting of pigs is one of the factors contributing to the spread and that so far, 11,943 pigs from farms where there was confirmed positive cases have been culled.

He said culling is still being done to contain the spread of the disease. Pig carcasses are also buried in an area far from public settlements.

“The Penang Veterinary Services Department also applied for compensation for 10 pig farms that have completed the disposal process,” he said.

However, Chow said Penang will not face any shortage of pork for its own consumption because the state is an exporter of pork to other states.

Based on a 2022 census by the department, there are 124 pig farms in four districts in Penang with a pig population of 267,348.

“Currently, Penang still has more than 90 pig farms that have not been affected by ASF and a shortage of pork in the market will not occur,” he also said.

Chow added that Penang has a strength of 170 officers from various agencies to manage the spread of this disease, and requests farmers and the public to immediately report any death of wild boars, village pigs or commercial pigs to the nearest district Veterinary Services Department or state Veterinary Services Office or through the department’s Disease Crisis Management Room hotline at 04-5041047. – Bernama, February 3, 2023.