Hong Kong authorities cull 5,600 pigs at farm after finding African swine fever virus
- Agriculture department says 22 pigs tested positive for virus at farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, over the two days prior
- Remains sent to West New Territories Landfill according to established procedure, and virus cannot be transmitted to humans, it says
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department took the action on Thursday after 22 pigs tested positive for the virus at the farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, over the previous two days.
The department also suspended the transport of any pigs from the affected farm as part of contingency measures.
On Tuesday, it said samples taken from 32 pigs revealed that half of the animals were carrying the virus and that all the pigs would be destroyed.
Another six out of 37 samples also tested positive on Wednesday.
The cull began at 7am and all 5,600 pigs in the farm were slaughtered. Their remains were sent to the West New Territories Landfill according to established procedures, a department spokesman said. About 30 staff members joined the action on Thursday. Cleaning and disinfection at the site would follow, he added.
The department emphasised the virus could not infect humans and posed no food safety risks. Fully cooked pork remained safe for consumption, it added.
