GEORGE TOWN: The African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to spread in the state, with 23 commercial pig farms reporting such cases.
The 23 farms have a total of 53,275 pigs.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, to date, the number of farms infected with ASF were 17 in the Seberang Prai Selatan (SPS) district involving 42,691 pigs; Seberang Prai Tengah (SPT) district (two farms with a pig population of 2,742) and in the Seberang Prai Utara (SPU) district (four farms with a pig population of 7,842).
"As of yesterday, a total of 7,998 pigs were culled from ASF positive farms in the SPS and SPT districts.
"Culling works are still being carried out to curb the spread of the disease.
"The pig carcasses were then planted in an area far from settlements and development to ensure there were no disturbances," he said after inspecting the ASF Operations Centre in Valdor today.
On Jan 13, Penang declared the ASF outbreak in the state a "disaster" after cases were reported in 11 commercial pig farms in SPS and SPT, 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.
According to Chow, 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.
"Until now, there are still 101 pig farms that have not been infected with ASF, with a population of around 214,073. This includes 35 farms in SPS with a total of 97,104 pigs; 60 farms in SPU (100,600 pigs); two farms in SPT (5,539 pigs) and four farms in the southwest (10,830 pigs)," he said.
He added that in order to control and prevent the spread of ASF, the the Veterinary Services Department (JPV) carried out a "stamping out policy" through the culling of pigs in positive or suspected farms in the infection zone in accordance with the Malaysian Veterinary Protocol (PVM) for ASF.