THE Penang government has confirmed four more pig farms in the state are affected by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, bringing the total of affected commercial farms to 11.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it involved two farms in the Central Seberang Prai (SPT) district and two more in South Seberang Prai (SPS). 

He said the outbreak is showing no signs of abating and is likely to worsen without an effective vaccine against ASF.

“Previously, seven farms were affected – two in SPT and five in Perkampungan Valdor in SPS. Currently, the Penang Veterinary Services Department (DVS) is carrying out sampling work in (other) pig farms. 

“So far, 4,000 pigs in three farms (infected with ASF) have been culled, and culling will continue in other farms,’’ he told reporters in George Town today. 

Last Friday, Penang declared the ASF outbreak a disaster after cases were reported in seven more commercial pig farms involving 25,000 animals in the two districts. 

Penang police chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the police mounted roadblocks – one in Bukit Teh, SPT, and three in Perkampungan Valdor – to control the movement of live pigs or pig carcasses in areas where ASF was detected to ensure the disease does not spread to other areas. 

According to state DVS data, there are 124 pig farms in Penang housing 267,348 pigs. – Bernama, January 17, 2023.