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The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of African swine fever (ASF) in 19 areas in northern Sumatra including Dairi, Humbang Hasundutan, Deli Serdang, Karo, Toba Samosir, North Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, Samosir, Simalungun, Pakpak Bharat, Langkat, Tebing Tinggi, Pematang Siantar and Medan.
Information from the OIE indicates that there are a total of 392 outbreaks with 1,228,951 susceptible animals and 28,136 cases.
The disease poses a threat to the Indonesian pig population comprising approximately 8.5 million animals.
Following reports of increased pig deaths in several districts in North Sumatra, a veterinary investigation was undertaken and official tests confirmed the presence of African swine fever. Following the results of the investigation, cases were reported in the Dairi district which rapidly spread to 16 of the 33 districts in North Sumatra.
The source of infection is inconclusive, however rapid risk assessment shows that transporting live pigs from other areas, contaminated fomites from animal handlers, vehicles, and animal feed all play a role in this infection.
The main strategic measures to prevent ASF infection are implementing biosecurity systems and good farm management, as well as strict and intensive supervision of high-risk areas and a stricter policy on importing live pigs and pork products, especially from ASF-infected countries.
The government is calling on other provinces with high pig populations, such as NTT (Nusa Tenggara Timur), North Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Bali, Central Java, Central Sulawesi, Riau Islands and Papua, to be vigilant for the possible spread of ASF.
Thursday, December 19, 2019/ Publication by 333 with information from Kementerian Pertanian Indonesia and the OIE.
