Sample taken from wild pig tests positive for ASF virus

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (November 22) announced that a sample taken from a wild pig tested positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.

     The AFCD mounted a wild pig capture and dispatch operation yesterday (November 21) at Fung Yuen Road, Tai Po. Samples were collected from the four wild pigs captured for testing under the surveillance programme for ASF. A sample collected from one wild pig tested positive for the ASF virus. The AFCD will report the findings to the World Organisation for Animal Health and maintain surveillance in the wild pig population.

     There is no pig farm located within 3 kilometres of Fung Yuen Road. At the moment, no pig farms are found affected by this case. All local pig farmers will be notified of the case and advised to enhance farm biosecurity to prevent intrusion of wild pigs and introduction of the ASF virus into their farms. The AFCD has been closely monitoring the health condition of pigs on all local pig farms. Local pig farmers are also reminded to notify the AFCD if their pigs show any health issues.

     An AFCD spokesman said, "ASF is a highly contagious disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. However, it is not a zoonotic disease and does not infect humans and hence does not cause any food safety risk. Well-cooked pork is safe for consumption. The case will not affect the supply of live pigs to the local market."

     The spokesman stressed that for personal safety and prevention of foods contaminated with the ASF virus to be introduced to wild pigs, members of the public should keep away from them. Do not feed any wild animals, including wild pigs, and ensure that outdoor garbage is disposed of properly. If any dead wild pig is found, please report via 1823.

     With a view to strengthening the surveillance of ASF on local wild pigs, the AFCD has been working with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on a surveillance programme for ASF since late 2019. This has involved testing of the ASF virus in wild pig carcasses reported by the FEHD. The programme includes the New Territories and Kowloon. Other areas found with a large number of wild pig deaths are also included. To enable early detection, samples collected from wild pigs captured by the AFCD are also tested for the ASF virus.