Latest news with #AfricanSwineFever
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
In 1 day, 117 pigs die of ASF in 5 Mizoram dists
Aizawl: An unprecedented upsurge in pig casualty due to resurgence of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak was witnessed on Monday in Mizoram with 117 pigs dying of ASF in five districts, reports HC Vanlalruata. Champhai district registered pig deaths for the first time while Mamit district, bordering Tripura and Bangladesh, for the first time sees the disease spreading to rural areas. State veterinary officials said northeastern Mizoram's Khawzawl district registered the largest number of daily casualty at 67 in six villages and localities, followed by Chhippui village in Mamit district as 20 pigs died for the first time in the village while it was earlier confined to Zawlnuam town. Champhai district, bordering Myanmar, for the first time registered 18 deaths in four villages.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
800 pigs culled after African swine fever affects 3 Penang farms
Penang local government committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said pork from healthy pigs remains safe for consumption and African swine fever does not spread to humans. (Envato Elemens pic) GEORGE TOWN : More than 800 pigs have been culled after African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed at three pig farms in Penang. Local government committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said traces of the virus were detected at slaughterhouses, with the infected pigs traced back to farms in three districts. 'But lab tests have only confirmed ASF at three farms so far. The rest are still under investigation. 'We expect more positive cases once the results come in,' he told reporters. H'ng said 822 pigs have been culled at two of the affected farms, while a third farm remains under close observation. 'We've banned the movement of pigs from affected farms to stop the spread,' he said. He said pork from healthy pigs remains safe for consumption and the virus does not spread to humans. 'We are also stepping up checks at farms and abattoirs and will act fast to contain the outbreak,' he said. H'ng urged farmers to report sick or dead pigs quickly and to strictly follow biosecurity protocols. Penang veterinary services department director Dr Saira Banu Rejab said in a statement on July 13 that two farms at Kampung Selamat had recorded 50 pig deaths.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Penang culls over 800 pigs over African Swine Fever, assures public no human risk
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — A total of 822 pigs from two farms in Penang have been culled due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) as of July 17. According to the local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye, a total 13 samples from farms in North Seberang Perai, four from South Seberang Perai and one from the Southwest district on the island were found to be positive for ASF. 'To date, three farms are confirmed to be positive for ASF, while the rest are still under further investigation,' he said when contacted today. He said so far the 822 pigs culled have been disposed and the pigs were from two of the three farms that were confirmed to have positive cases. 'The Penang Veterinary Services Department (DVS) is actively conducting investigations and further sampling at the relevant farms,' he said. He said the number of farms with positive ASF results are expected to increase once the lab results are out. He said the DVS is also identifying suitable disposal sites to carry out safe disposal of the carcasses in compliance with environmental guidelines. He stressed that ASF is a zoonotic disease which cannot infect humans so it does not pose a threat to human health and does not affect food safety. Earlier, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said currently the culled pigs have been buried within the compounds of the respective farms. 'The DVS and district office are looking for other suitable sites in case there is a need,' he said. He added that all pig farms are being inspected and the DVS is carrying out tests to identify positive cases.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
6k pigs died this year due to ASF: Mizoram officials
Aizawl: Resurgence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in March this year has led to the death of 5,959 pigs in Mizoram. While 2,208 families have been affected, 91 villages and localities and five districts have been declared infected, state animal husbandry & veterinary officials said on Sunday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The officials further said 16 pig casualties had been reported each from Lunglei and Khawzawl district on Sunday, while the same number of pigs had been culled in the two districts, before adding that over 2000 pigs had been culled this year. While ASF infestation has been confined to urban areas in Mamit and Khawzawl districts, it has significantly spread into the rural areas of southern Mizoram's Lawngtlai, Siaha and Lunglei districts. Siaha has been the most severely affected, reporting 3,180 pig deaths, followed by Lawngtlai at 1,746 and Khawzawl at 505.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
More livestock farmers adopt smart farming tech
THE Federation of Livestock Farmers' Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) is calling for greater government support and collaboration to bolster the country's agricultural resilience. This call comes as the livestock industry actively embraces modern practices and smart farming technologies to overcome persistent challenges. Outgoing president Dr Terry Tan Chee Hee noted a significant shift in the industry, with farmers across the country stepping up efforts to improve on-farm biosecurity and adopt advanced systems. 'Many are controlling farm access more strictly, enhancing sanitation and investing in disease surveillance. 'Structured vaccination programmes are also gaining ground as we work to strengthen animal health.' He said there was a gradual shift in mindset as more farmers were embracing structured farm management systems, digital record-keeping and long-term planning. 'There is also increasing attention on closed-house systems and smart farming technologies,' he added during the association's annual dinner in Bukit Mertajam. Despite these measures, Tan emphasised that the industry continued to face multiple challenges, including disease outbreaks and rising feed costs. 'The ongoing threat of African Swine Fever continues to cause significant economic strain for many businesses, especially smaller farms, and the path to recovery has not been easy. 'For the poultry sector, disease threats remain a serious concern. 'They have resulted in ongoing losses and considerable stress for our farmers,' he highlighted. Tan said that the industry has fortunately remained free of the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak. 'This underscores the importance of strong biosecurity practices, not just in times of crises, but as a daily commitment across the entire supply chain. 'We acknowledge and thank the farmers, veterinarians and relevant authorities who play a key role in safeguarding our industry,' he added. However, Tan said continuous support and partnership with the government remained essential, especially in the areas of financing, knowledge sharing, and legalisation. 'Many farmers want to modernise. But for most, capital investment remains one of the biggest hurdles. 'More accessible funding opportunities, be it through grants, soft loans or targeted incentives, would empower farmers to invest in long-term improvements,' he said. Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Chan Foong Hin, who was present, said the Government was stepping up efforts to support the livestock industry by promoting local feed alternatives. He said the industry's challenges included rising input costs due to heavy reliance on imported feed. 'Our industry is exposed to supply and price uncertainties, which in turn undermines the competitiveness of local farmers. 'We must intensify efforts to explore local alternatives and innovations in animal feed. 'Through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, we have been conducting research and development on palm-based feed, using raw materials such as empty fruit bunches and palm kernel expeller. 'These products can be processed into nutritionally balanced pellets for cattle, goats and poultry,' said Chan. He added that during a recent engagement, FLFAM and industry experts agreed to explore the use of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) derived from palm kernels as animal feed additives. Among the Government's support is the RM100mil allocated this year for the implementation of the Oil Palm Smallholder Replanting Scheme, offering financing incentives for oil palm replanting activities. Chan said the scheme was expected to benefit 1,500 private smallholder oil palm farmers with 5,900ha targeted for replanting. The dinner was jointly organised by the FLFAM and the Penang and Province Wellesley Farmers Association. With some 500 guests gathered in a show of solidarity and support for the livestock industry, the event successfully raised RM1.045mil in contributions from various organisations and individuals across the country. The evening also saw the oath-taking ceremony of FLFAM's central committee members for the 2025 to 2027 term, led by the federation's new president Sim Zhi Zhan. Also present were Penang agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman Fahmi Zainol, Machang Bubok assemblyman Lee Khai Loon, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik and Penang Veterinary Department director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab.
