GEORGE TOWN: The southwest district near here is the latest district to record the African Swine Fever (ASF) cases, with three of the four commercial pig farms having positive cases.
The three farms were among four commercial pig farms which recorded ASF cases as of yesterday (Feb 2), bringing the total number of infected pig farms to 27. The other pig farm infected is in the Seberang Prai Selatan (SPS) district.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said with the latest development, all four districts had recorded ASF cases at the commercial pig farms.
He said there were 18 infected farms in the SPS district, two in the Seberang Prai Tengah (SPT) district, four in the Seberang Prai Utara (SPU) district and three in the southwest district, with a total population of 62,197 pigs.
"As of yesterday too, a total of 11,943 pigs from 10 commercial farms which recorded positive cases have been culled and the culling exercise is ongoing.
"Since the first ASF case in Penang on Jan 3, none of the commercial pig farms have reported 100 per cent death. It is just that pigs in the infected farms had to be culled to stop the spread of the ASF," he told newsmen at his office in Komtar here today.
Elaborating, Chow said the ASF cases in the southwest district were likely caused by the transportation used to move the pigs to the slaughter houses, which might not have been sanitised.
Asked if the situation was worsening, Chow said there was an increase of between three and four commercial pig farms infected by the ASF every week.
"So, that is the challenge we face. However, statistics from Kampung Valdor in the SPS district also showed that the cases remained and only centred on nearby farms.
"If breeders implement biosecurity and other measures, we hope that will be able to contain the ASF cases," he said.
On Jan 13, Penang declared the ASF outbreak in the state a "disaster" after cases were reported in 11 commercial pig farms in the SPS and SPT districts, involving 25,000 pigs.
The culling was conducted through the use of carbon dioxide gas and according to the Animal Welfare Code of Practice and Animal Disposal Management guidelines before the carcasses are buried.
The disease is not a danger to humans but can have a devastating impact on pig populations and the farming industry.
There is currently no effective vaccine against ASF.
Based on the 2022 census, there are a total of 124 pig farms in four districts in Penang, with a total population of 267,348 pigs.
Meanwhile, Chow also said that the Veterinary Services Department (JPV) had submitted claims from 10 commercial pig farms to the federal government for compensation purposes.
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