100 pigs at Hong Kong farm culled after 32 cases of African swine fever detected
- Authorities say infections will not affect local pork supply or operations of slaughterhouses
- Immediate spot checks on nearby farms in Sheung Shui also carried out; no further cases found
Hong Kong authorities have culled about 100 pigs at a farm in Sheung Shui after 32 of the animals tested positive for the African swine fever virus.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on Friday night said the infections would not affect local pork supply or operations at local slaughterhouses, adding that the virus did not pose any food safety hazards.
The 32 cases were detected during an inspection of a licensed pig farm at Ta Kwu Ling, Sheung Shui.
In response to Post inquiries, the department on Sunday night said it had started investigating the farm after receiving reports of “a number of pig carcasses” disposed of at a nearby animal carcass collection station.
Authorities would investigate the possible source of infection and take enforcement action when necessary, it added.
The department immediately suspended the supply of pigs from the farm until further notice, in line with contingency procedures for the virus, a spokesman said in a statement on Friday.
“The farm has about 100 pigs which will all be culled for the sake of prudence,” he said. “African swine fever is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans, hence it does not cause any food safety risk.”
