THE Penang Veterinary Services Department today confirmed that 30 commercial pig farms in the state have been affected by African swine fever.

In a statement, the department said 19 of them were in the Seberang Perai Selatan district, Seberang Perai Tengah (two), Seberang Perai Utara (six) and Barat Daya (three), bringing the total number of pigs infected with the disease to 68,659.

“To control and prevent the spread of African swine fever, the Penang Veterinary Services Department is implementing stamping out policy through the culling of pigs in infected or suspected to be infected farms in the affected zones, in accordance with the Malaysian Veterinary Protocol for the disease.

“This policy is carried out with the aim of eliminating the virus so that farmers can start breeding their animals again safely and free from African swine fever, thus ensuring a sufficient supply of pork in the country,” the statement read.

It also said the culling of infected pigs had been carried out since January 5, after the first case of the disease was detected, and now the infection rate is seen to be slowing down.

“The public is advised not to be alarmed because African swine fever is not a zoonotic disease and only infects pigs and wild boar,” it said. – Bernama, February 14, 2023.