THERE is currently no new positive case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Penang after the state Veterinary Services Department (JPV) closed two pig farms in south Seberang Perai which were hit by ASF recently.
In his reply to a journalist, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that following the closure of two affected farms, no new ASF case was detected.
“The state government is taking the outbreak of the disease seriously. State Secretary Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar chaired the state-level disaster committee meeting on Sunday (Jan 8).
“The State Secretary has been tasked to see all the preparations and mobilise the necessary operation,” he said after launching the Cashless Day Campaign (Kempen Hari Tanpa Tunai) for state government departments and agencies today. The launching ceremony was held at Level Three, Komtar.
Mohd Sayuthi said the ASF cases in Penang were still under control and were currently managed at the district level.
“The first farm which was infected by ASF, involving 1,500 pigs, has been properly handled.
“As for the second farm, we are still awaiting the decision by the state JPV on whether to cull all the pigs in the farm. The culling of the pigs will be done in stages.
“A meeting between the JPV and the south Seberang Perai District and Land Office has been held yesterday (Jan 9) to discuss the implementation.
“We need a site to properly dispose of the carcasses. The initial approach was for the pigs to be culled and buried on-site but the second farm was small and lack of space. Hence, we need to find a suitable site to properly dispose of the carcasses.
Mohd Sayuthi said the second farm has about 2,500 pigs.
He added that the JPV is monitoring the ASF situation in Penang.
“Swift action will be taken to control the spread of ASF so that it does not spread to other farms,” he added.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting