African Swine Fever virus detected in pigs at Yuen Long farm

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Friday that samples taken from a licensed pig farm in Yuen Long had tested positive for the African Swine Fever virus.

According to the department, eleven pig samples were taken from a licensed pig farm in Wong Nai Tun, Yuen Long and at least three samples were found positive for the ASF virus.

The department said it has immediately suspended transportation of any pigs from the farm concerned until further notice according to the contingency plan on African Swine Fever, adding it is arranging the culling of pigs, for the sake of prudence.

Meanwhile, the department said it is arranging staff to inspect the three pig farms within three kilometers of the index farm and collect pig samples for testing.

“For the sake of prudence, the AFCD has suspended movements of pigs on those pig farms until further notice. No reports of abnormalities from pig farms outside the three-kilometer zone have been received so far,

“The present case does not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses nor the overall supply of live pigs,” said a department spokesman.