The government has culled over 970 pigs at a farm in Yuen Long after the samples of pigs from a licensed pig farm in Lau Fau Shan tested positive for the African Swine Fever virus.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has launched the operation at the affected licensed farm since last Friday (Dec 19) after samples tested positive on December 17. A total of 978 pigs have been culled and handled as of Tuesday.
Following the culling of all pigs on the farm, the AFCD will arrange thorough cleaning and disinfection of the farm.
Authorities have notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of the incident. An epidemiological investigation in collaboration with mainland and international experts is underway to prevent and control further spread of the ASF virus.
AFCD has also arranged veterinary inspections of one operating pig farm within 3 kilometers of the index farm last week. As all samples of the farm have tested negative for the ASF virus, it has resumed the relevant procedures for the farm to transport pigs to slaughterhouses.
The AFCD stressed that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans; hence, it does not present any food safety risk. Pork cooked thoroughly is safe for consumption.
