Indonesia swine fever outbreak kills more than 4,000 pigs: Report

More than 4,000 pigs have lost their lives after an outbreak of swine fever in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra, according to the department of the area's food security and livestock agency on November 6. The cadavers have been reportedly discovered in rivers and on the streets as the owners disowned them due to the fear of spreading the disease. The head of the agency M Azhar Harahap said the virus is only infectious to pigs and not humans. Harahap said the number of deaths is hovering around 4,000. He added that the Classical Swine Fever (CSF) virus which is otherwise known as hog cholera was first detected in September in the province’s Dairi district. He further added that the agency would set up monitoring posts in 38 districts.

READ: NKorea Seen As Weak Link In Swine Fever’s Spread Across Asia

Indonesia produced 327,215 tonnes of pork meat last year

According to the initial estimates by Indonesia's statistic bureau, Indonesia produced 327,215 tonnes of pork meat last year, while the production in Bali remained maximum. North Sumatra produced 43,308 tonnes the previous year. Asia is facing a number of recent outbreaks of CSF virus and African swine fever. A year-long pig epidemic has reduced China's pig herd by more than 40% and has escalated the prices of the meat to record levels. In the previous month, the agriculture ministry of South Korea, Kim Hyeon-soo announced on September 17, that the nation has been put on the highest alert of animal disease after discovering its first outbreak of deadly African swine fever at a pig farm in Paju, a town located near the border of North Korea. The case was reported less than four months after North Korea reported its first outbreak in late May.

READ: South Korea: Rising Fears As Tests Confirm More Swine Fever Cases

Outbreak in North Korea

The minister said on Tuesday, November 5, that in addition to raising the alert level, nearly 4,000 pigs would be selectively slaughtered to prevent the spread of the virus. He said they will make all possible efforts to stop the spread of the disease through swift disinfection measures. A nationwide movement was also ordered by the Ministry to ban the hogs and similar livestock for 48 hours while monitoring the source of the virus. African swine fever is very contagious and nearly 100 per cent fatal to swine herds. The disease is found among the pigs and wild boars transmitted by ticks and direct contact between animals. There is no vaccination available for the disease but it does not affect humans.

READ: South Korea Confirms Second Case Of Deadly African Swine Fever

READ: South Korea On Highest Alert After African Swine Fever Found