SHAH ALAM: A total of 920 pigs were culled by the Department of Veterinary Services in Selangor on Wednesday after they were found to have been infected with African swine fever (ASF).

The source of infection is believed to be from other states. This is the first time raw pigs in Selangor have been infected with ASF.

Prior to this, pigs in Penang, Perak and Sarawak tested positive for African swine fever, said Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim.

In the past, ASF infection cases in Selangor were caused by raw pork from overseas, he said.

The Department of Veterinary Services in Selangor received a tip-off on 22 January that pig farms in Kuala Langat and Sepang were infected with ASF.

Acting on the tip-off, Department of Veterinary Services in Selangor inspected 25,000 pigs in 29 pig farms on 24 and 25 January, said Izham.

All pigs were quarantined pending the outcome of investigation in line with Section 18(2) of the Animals Act 1953.

Pigs in three farms – two in Sepang and one in Kuala Langat –tested positive for ASF.

The farms have a total of 2,220 pigs and culling of pigs is still on-going, he said.

The two pig farms in Sepang were slapped with shutdown orders on 28 January and 5 February respectively, while the one in Kuala Langat on 28 January.

Pig farms in Selangor are urged to be careful and set up biosecurity measures in their farms to curb the spread of the virus.

Izham emphasised that ASF would not affect humans.

“ASF will only infect domestic and wild pigs, which will then die within two to 10 days.”

He reminded members of the public not to spread false information with regards to ASF to create panic and fear.