African Swine Fever | Fishery and Conservation Department’s slaying of 240 swine viruses from Yuen Long outbreak pig farms into Hong Kong a mystery

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Written by: Chen Jiayi

2021-02-05 14:55

Last update date: 2021-02-05 14:55

The African swine fever virus was detected in pig samples from a licensed pig farm in Wong Nai Tun, Yuen Long. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has immediately banned pig farms from shipping any pigs until further notice. This is the first local pig farm outbreak. The industry claimed that they did not understand how the virus was introduced into Hong Kong.

The six pigs that tested positive for the virus came from the same pig house. The authorities announced last night that all about 240 pigs in the same pig house would be destroyed.

At least 10 AFCD staff wearing protective clothing destroyed pigs on the farm this morning (5th) and cleaned and disinfected the environment. The staff also inspected the nearby pig farm.

African swine fever virus was detected in pig samples from a licensed pig farm in Wong Nai Tun, Yuen Long, and AFCD staff in protective clothing put on masks and gloves to destroy pigs in the same pig farm.

(Photo by Ou Jiale)

Live pig agents: local live pig supply is not affected

At least 10 AFCD staff destroyed pigs in the pig farm on Baishashan Road this morning (5th). Large trucks were parked outside the door.

They were wearing protective clothing, masks and gloves. Some of them were driving pigs from the pig farm with long sticks into the container box with pipes. The sound of pigs was heard at the scene. Only the cry stopped.

Someone cleans and disinfects the environment in the pig farm.

There were also officials wearing protective clothing to inspect the nearby pig farm.

Cheng Jiacheng, a live pig agent, said that live pigs imported from the mainland will be inspected, and local inspections for the virus are rarely conducted in the past. Due to the occurrence of African swine fever, testing may be strengthened.

He pointed out that the local live pig supply and prices have not been affected, and he said that he did not understand how the virus was introduced into Hong Kong.

Fisheries and Conservation Department: Other pig barns are negative and need not be destroyed

The Fisheries and Conservation Department stated that the test results of pig samples from other pig houses in the pig farm were negative and showed no health abnormalities. There is no need to destroy them at this stage. It will continue to investigate the source of the African swine fever virus and strengthen inspections of local pig farms.

The Department stated that this case will not affect the operation of the local slaughterhouse, nor will it affect the overall supply of live pigs. It emphasizes that African swine fever does not infect humans and therefore does not pose a food safety risk. The pork can be eaten safely after being cooked.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Fisheries Conservation Department stated that they will continue to strictly implement the cleaning and disinfection of domestic live pig transport vehicles and local live pig transport vehicles in slaughterhouses to reduce the risk of cross-infection of African swine fever.

Separate live pig transport vehicles in the Mainland and local areas must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected each time they leave the Sheung Shui slaughterhouse. The cleaning and disinfection locations for the two are in separate dedicated locations.

The Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse has immediately strengthened equipment and manpower to clean and disinfect both. There is no need to shut down or destroy other pigs in the slaughterhouse.

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Swine Fever and Swine Flu Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Agriculture and Fisheries