December 26, 2023
HONG KONG – Around 2,800 pigs will be culled at a pig farm in Yuen Long after samples tested positive for the African Swine Flu virus, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Saturday.
Samples from at least four pigs tested positive for the virus after the AFCD officials collected samples from 60 pigs at a licensed pig farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, on Friday, an AFCD spokesperson said in a statement.
“The AFCD has immediately suspended transportation of any pigs from the farm concerned until further notice according to the contingency plan on African swine fever,” the spokesperson said, adding that the culling operations will begin next week.
“African swine fever is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans, hence does not cause any food safety risk,” the spokesperson stressed, reminding members of the public not to be concerned as thoroughly cooked pork is safe for consumption.
African swine fever is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans, hence does not cause any food safety risk.
A spokesperson for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
The department staff had notified all local pig farmers of this incident and reminded them to alert the AFCD immediately if abnormal health condition was observed in pigs.
The staff has also arranged to inspect two other pig farms within three kilometers of the farm concerned and collect samples for the virus testing, the spokesperson said, adding that the department has temporarily suspended movements of pigs on these farms until further notice.
No reports of abnormalities from pig farms outside the 3km zone had been received so far and the present case did not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses nor the overall supply of live pigs, added the spokesperson.
A daily clearance arrangement where live pigs will be slaughtered within 24 hours upon admittance has been imposed in Sheung Shui and Tsuen Wan slaughterhouses. Under the arrangement, lairages in different areas of the slaughterhouses will be cleared out and undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection every day.
“AFCD staff are conducting visits to all local licensed pig farms to ensure biosecurity measures have been properly implemented; and continued close surveillance to detect pigs with abnormalities as early as possible,” reads the statement.