PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (28): China (HK) domestic, spread, cull
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AFRICAN SWINE FEVER – ASIA (28): CHINA (HONG KONG) DOMESTIC, SPREAD,
CULL
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Thu 23 Nov 2023 21:16 HKT
Source: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
[edited]
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/23/P2023112300639.htm
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today
[23 Nov 2023] announced that samples taken from a pig farm in Yuen
Long had tested positive for African swine fever (ASF) virus.
An AFCD spokesman said, “AFCD staff yesterday [22 Nov 2023] and today
[23 Nov 2023] inspected a licensed pig farm at Lau Fau Shan, Yuen
Long, and took samples from 62 pigs for testing. Results so far showed
that samples from at least 5 pigs tested positive for ASF virus. The
AFCD has immediately suspended transportation of any pigs from the
farm concerned until further notice according to the contingency plan
on ASF. The AFCD is arranging culling of all pigs, totaling around
1900, on the farm concerned for the sake of prudence. The culling
operations will commence on Saturday [25 Nov 2023].”
He further said, “AFCD staff immediately notified all local pig
farmers of this incident and reminded them to alert the AFCD
immediately if abnormal health condition is observed in pigs. In
addition, AFCD staff inspected the other 3 pig farms within 3 km (1.86
mi) of the index farm. One of these pig farms has no pigs on farm. For
the other 2 pig farms, samples were taken from pigs for ASF testing.
Test results were all negative and no abnormalities were found in the
health of those pigs. For the sake of prudence, the AFCD has also
temporarily suspended movements of pigs on these farms until further
notice. No reports of abnormalities from pig farms outside the 3 km
(1.86 mi) zone have been received so far. AFCD staff had reminded
local pig farmers to ensure biosecurity measures have been properly
implemented, and continue close surveillance to detect pigs with
abnormalities and if a farm is infected as early as possible.”
The spokesman stressed that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and will not
infect humans, hence does not cause any food safety risk. Pork cooked
thoroughly is safe for consumption. Members of the public do not need
to be concerned.
The present case does not affect the operation of local
slaughterhouses or the overall supply of live pigs. Since June 2019, a
daily clearance arrangement whereby 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 to further enhance the
biosecurity of, and minimize the risk of infection among pigs, in the
slaughterhouses.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the AFCD will
continue to stringently conduct cleaning and disinfection of Mainland
live pig transportation vehicles and their counterparts for local pigs
at slaughterhouses to minimize the risk of cross-infection of ASF.
Mainland live pig vehicles and local ones should be thoroughly cleaned
and disinfected every time they leave the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse
(SSSH), and the respective designated positions for their cleaning and
disinfection are separated. Manpower and equipment of the SSSH have
been strengthened immediately for cleaning and disinfection of the
vehicles. In light of these stepped-up measures, the slaughterhouses
need not be closed and other pigs need not be culled.