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76,000 pigs in M'sia farms test positive for African swine fever virus, to be euthanised & buried
1,868 of the affected pigs have since been put down and buried.
February 26, 2025, 03:11 PM
About 76,000 pigs have tested positive for the African swine fever (ASF) virus in farms in Selangor, Malaysia, according to the state's veterinary services department (DVS), Bernama reported.
The pigs infected were found in 56 of the 114 farms in Kuala Langat and Sepang.
A total of 1,868 pigs from two farms have since been disposed of to control and prevent the spread of ASF after sampling tests were carried out on livestock.
"The remaining 74,000 pigs will be disposed of in stages until next March," Selangor DVS director Hassuzana Khalil said at a press conference on Feb. 25.
Euthanised using high density carbon dioxide gas
The pigs were put down via a euthanasia method that uses high-density carbon dioxide gas.
The first batch of the carcasses were buried in plantations on Feb. 5.
A total of 668 pigs in Sepang, followed by 1,200 pigs in Kuala Langat were disposed of in accordance with the Malaysian Veterinary Standing Procedure Directive, it was reported.
Proactive measures taken to curb spread of virus
The Selangor DVS had also taken other proactive measures to curb the spread of ASF in accordance with the Animal Act 1953.
They involved tightening the conditions for the transfer of pigs in and out of Selangor.
Currently, the transfer of pigs is only allowed within Selangor and for the purpose of slaughtering in licensed slaughterhouses.
The route of transport vehicles to slaughterhouses is also stipulated, making it an offence for transport vehicles to not be on the designated route.
Patrols and monitoring at the state border to stop the transport of carcasses out of the state were also carried out.
A total of 37 transport vehicles were inspected and six of them seized.
No risk of virus spreading to humans
Hassuzana also gave the department’s assurance that ASF was a host-specific virus that only affected pigs, with no risk to humans, Free Malaysia Today reported.
The first recorded case of ASF in Malaysia was in Sabah.
Other states, such as Perak and Penang, have since recorded cases.
Top photos via Sin Chew Daily
