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Over 40,000 pigs killed as African swine fever outbreak in N. Sumatra worsens
As many as 42,000 pigs have been killed by ASF and hog cholera, with the majority, around 27,000 pigs, dying in the three months from September until December last year, according to the latest data from the North Sumatra Food Security and Livestock Agency.
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The strain of African swine fever spreading in Asia is undeniably nasty, killing virtually every pig it infects by a hemorrhagic illness reminiscent of Ebola in humans. It’s not known to sicken people, however. (Bloomberg/File)
T
he African swine fever (ASF) and hog cholera outbreak affecting pigs in North Sumatra in the past few months has worsened, spreading to 18 regencies and cities across the province.
As many as 42,000 pigs have been killed by ASF and hog cholera, with the majority, around 27,000 pigs, dying in the three months from September until December last year, according to the latest data from the North Sumatra Food Security and Livestock Agency.
Agency head Muhaimin said the virus had also spread to two more regencies in addition to the 16 affected in December, namely Batubara regency and Mandailing Natal regency.
“In Batubara regency, 66 pigs were found dead, while in Mandailing Natal, six pigs were found dead. This was a surprise for us because up to then those two regions had been free of ASF and hog cholera,” Muhaimin said after a meeting about the pig deaths at the North Sumatra governor’s office in Medan on Monday.
The other 16 regencies and municipalities affected by the virus are Dairi, Deli Serdang, Humbang Hasundutan, Karo, Langkat, Medan, Pakpak Bharat, Pematang Siantar, Samosir, Serdang Bedagai, Simalungun, Tapanuli Selatan, Tapanuli Tengah, Tapanuli Utara, Tebing Tinggi and Toba Samosir.
Medan Veterinary Association head Agustia said she was worried that the virus would spread even further if it was not handled properly.
“Both ASF and hog cholera can attack pig livestock very quickly. The danger is that if it is not addressed immediately it can spread to other regions,” Agustia said, adding that currently 15 regencies and cities in the province were still unaffected by the diseases.
