Pig culling operation on Yuen Long pig farm with pigs found with ASF virus completes
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An AFCD spokesman said, "According to the contingency plan on ASF, the AFCD has sent staff to cull and handle a total of 1 957 pigs on the licensed farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, since November 25. The operation was completed today. All culled and handled pigs were sent to the West New Territories Landfill for dumping according to established procedures."
The spokesman further said, "The AFCD will arrange thorough cleaning and disinfection of the farm, and has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of this incident. An investigation and tracing of the source of the virus in collaboration with international experts are underway."
Regarding the three pig farms within three kilometres of the index farm, the AFCD is still suspending transport of any pigs from the three pig farms for the sake of prudence. One of these pig farms has no pigs. As to the other two pig farms, no reports of abnormalities have been received so far. The AFCD will arrange veterinary inspection of these two pig farms tomorrow (December 1) and collect further samples from pigs for ASF virus testing. If no abnormal health condition is noted with the pigs, and all samples test negative for the ASF virus, pigs on these two pig farms would be allowed to be transported to slaughterhouses.
The AFCD will continue to keep local pig farms under close surveillance, as well as conducting tests if necessary. The AFCD has also reminded all farmers to ensure biosecurity measures have been properly implemented and alert the Department immediately if an abnormal health condition is observed in the pigs.
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 incident does not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses nor the overall supply of live pigs.
Ends/Thursday, November 30, 2023
Issued at HKT 18:30
Issued at HKT 18:30
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