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RI pig farms may face long disruption from ASF, association warns
An industry association has warned that the deadly virus could infect up to 90 percent of the country’s livestock population of pigs, following its discovery in Riau Islands province.
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A pig approaches the camera in this stock photograph. (Pexel /Mali Maeder)
T
he Indonesian Monogastric Association (AMI) has warned of prolonged disruption to the country’s pig industry, following the discovery of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in Riau Islands province that prompted a halt in live exports to Singapore.
“Any ASFV case is a major case. As for recovery, it takes at least four years to get back to normal,” AMI chairman Sailand Sinaga told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
He expressed his concern that the virus could infect 90 percent of the livestock population of pigs. “Herd mortality from the ASFV is radical. When one farm is infected, it must make sure the farm is completely free of the virus before it can start raising livestock again.”
Sailand said he was not surprised to hear about the latest outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), the disease caused by the virus, as ASFV in the past had spread across a number of pig farms in other provinces like Central Java, East Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi and North Sumatra.
“I’m more confused as to how Bulan Island could have been affected, given its heavily guarded access and the location of big businesses,” he continued, referring to an island just southwest of Batam Island.
“Further investigation is needed to ascertain whether other animals have entered the [region]. It could be that the virus was transmitted by animals that roam there. If a small island like Bulan can be affected, imagine bigger islands like Java and Sumatra,” he added.
Sailand explained that the only way to stop the outbreak was to cull all affected and exposed animals. “Test and check in every shed, feed and feces for ASFV. After that, a farm must [stand] empty for at least six months before it can start over,” he said.
