Some 2,800 pigs to be culled after samples test positive for African Swine Fever

Some 2,800 pigs on a farm in Yuen Long will be culled starting next week after samples from at least four pigs tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) virus, the government said on Saturday. 

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said staff inspected a licensed pig farm at Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, and took samples from 60 pigs for testing on Friday. 

“Results showed that samples from at least four pigs tested positive for ASF virus. The department has immediately suspended transportation of any pigs from the farm concerned until further notice according to the contingency plan on the ASF virus. 

“The department is arranging culling of all pigs, totaling around 2 800 on the farm concerned for the sake of prudence. The culling operations will commence next week,” the spokesman said. 

The spokesman also said the department has immediately notified all local pig farmers of this incident and reminded them to alert the department immediately if abnormal health conditions are observed in pigs. 

In addition, the department has arranged to inspect the other two pig farms within three kilometers of the index farm and collected pig samples for ASF testing. 

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.