GEORGE TOWN: A total of 27 pigs farms in the state were found to be affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) as of Feb 2 (Thursday), says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said a total of 11,943 pigs have been culled from the farms in Penang except those from the north-east district.
"So far, the ASF positive farms were at South Seberang Prai (18), Central Seberang Prai (2), North Seberang Prai (4) and the south-west district (3)," he said during a press conference at Komtar on Friday (Feb 3).
He said overall, the total population of pigs that have been infected with ASF were 62,197.
He said the Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPV) has been actively conducting culling activities of the infected pigs to prevent further infection.
He said the carcasses of the pigs had been buried at a place that was far from public and to ensure there will be no nuisance to the people.
Chow said the JPV has sent the application of reparations to Putrajaya for 10 pig farms that have completed its culling process.
He said the department has taken a stamping out policy approach to prevent the virus spread by conducting culling activities on the farms that have been identified positive or suspected to be infected based on the Malaysian Veterinary Protocol (PVM) for ASF virus.
He called on the public to remain calm as the ASF is not zoonotic and only infected pigs and wild boar.
He advised pig farmers and the public to immediately report any death relating to wild boars, village pigs or commercial pigs to the Penang JPV via the Disease Crisis Management Room hotline at 04-5041047.
