A new outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was discovered on a farm in Yuen Long in Hong Kong. A total of 16 pigs were infected with ASF, but authorities will cull 32 pigs to prevent the deadly disease of swine from spreading.
On Tuesday, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (ACFD) immediately suspended transport of any pigs from the farm until further notice, according to the country’s contingency plan on ASF, reports the South China Morning Post.
The AFCD said it’s arranging the culling for the “sake of prudence.”
Although the ASF virus is not of concern to humans and does not pose any food safety risks, the virus is highly transmissible among pigs and all efforts are being taken to prevent the disease from spreading.
Authorities pointed out that the outbreak did not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses or the overall supply of live pigs. All pig farmers within a 3-kilometer radius of the infected site were inspected and no abnormalities were found.
In February, approximately 100 pigs were culled at a farm in Sheung Shui after 32 of them tested positive for ASF virus, the article said. The farm was investigated after the department received reports of pig carcasses disposed of at a nearby station for the collection of animal remains.
Vaccine candidates are showing promise, but no vaccine is commercially available at this time.
