THE Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPV) has submitted the applications for the compensation package to the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia in Putrajaya.
The applications are for 10 pig farms which were hit by the African swine fever (ASF) virus and had completed the disposal of the culled pigs.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the culling efforts are actively being done at the moment to curb the spread of the virus, while the disposal of pig carcasses is being done in an area far from housing areas.
“Also, there is no new establishment of farms to ensure this issue doesn’t prolong.
“As we have mentioned before, JPV is continuing in its stamping out policy to cull pigs in farms that have positive ASF cases. This is to control and prevent the spread of the virus,” Chow told a press conference in Komtar today.
As of Feb 2 this year, a total of 27 pig farms were hit by the African swine fever (ASF) virus in Penang.
The number included three new infected farms in the southwest district on the island, the Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPV) confirmed.
Chow said out of the 27 infected pig farms, 18 were in the south Seberang Perai district, two were in the central Seberang Perai district, four were in the north Seberang Perai district and three were in the southwest district on the island.
“According to JPV, a total of 62,197 pigs were found to be infected in Penang.
“As of Feb 2, a total of 11,943 pigs from the infected farms were culled,” he added.
Chow has urged the public not to panic about the occurrence of this virus as it is not a zoonotic disease.
“It only infects pigs and wild boars. Nevertheless, we can’t deny that this virus can impact our economy as it can cause 100% death to infected pigs within two to 10 days.
“Therefore, pig farmers and the public are urged to immediately report on the deaths of wild boars, or village / commercial pigs to the nearest district Veterinary Services Department or the state Veterinary Services office for further action to be taken,” Chow said.
Responding to a journalist, Chow said the burial process could take place within the farm should there be suitable land found. The journalist had asked if the infected pig farm in the southwest district could conduct the burial process on its own land, or if the state would provide space for that purpose.
“The state will help out and suggest a suitable state land for the burial process to take place if there is no suitable land found within the infected farm,” Chow said.
Chow also said the supply of slaughtered pigs outside of Penang was still sufficient and there was no issue with it so far.
“For livestock, transportation outside of Penang is prohibited for now but carcasses are allowed to be exported to other states.
“As we have said before, supply is not an issue for now because although 27 farms were infected, we still have 97 farms which can export slaughtered pigs,” he added.
Also present during the press conference was Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi