African Swine Fever hits second Yuen Long pig farm in a week

At least two samples taken from a licensed pig farm in Yuen Long tested positive for the African Swine Fever virus, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department announced on Tuesday night.

This marks the second licensed pig farm in Yuen Long that tested positive to the virus, after samples from another licensed pig farm in Wong Nai Tun, also in Yuen Long, tested positive on Friday (Jan 10).

In a statement, a spokesman for the department said 35 pig samples were taken from the licensed pig farm in Fung Kat Heung in Yuen Long yesterday (Jan 13).

“Upon testing by AFCD staff, at least two samples were found positive for the 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 spokesman said.

The AFCD is arranging culling of pigs, for the sake of prudence, while its staff has immediately notified all local pig farmers of this incident and reminded them to alert the AFCD immediately if abnormal health conditions are observed in pigs.

In addition, the AFCD is arranging staff to inspect the six pig farms within three kilometres of the index farm and collect pig samples for ASF testing. No reports of abnormalities from pig farms outside the three-kilometer zone have been received so far.

The department said it will continue its close surveillance to detect pigs with abnormalities and if a farm is infected as early as possible.

But the spokesman stressed that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans, hence does not cause any human health and food safety risk.

(Michael Shum)