By Nyein Nyein
DISMISSING reports of an African Swine Fever outbreak in Yangon, U Min Aung, the Head of the Yangon City Development Committee’s Veterinary and Slaughter House Department, said no cases of ASF have been detected in Myanmar.
He made the remarks during a press conference on the YCDC’s performance.
“The virus has not reached Yangon, and it is a false alarm. No ASF infection has been reported in Myanmar. However, preventive and precautionary measures are being undertaken,” he said.
“The virus is easily spread between pigs, to pig farms, and other areas, with high mortality. The Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation is preparing the necessary preventive measures,” said U Min Aung.
Yangon Region produces about 1,500 pigs daily, and there are two slaughter houses in the region: Ywathargyi and Insein (Ywama). About 450-500 pigs are slaughtered at the Ywathargyi house daily, while the Insein Ywama facility processes 900- 1,000 pigs every day, according to the YCDC.
Since August, 2018, an ASF outbreak has been reported from some northeast, central, and eastern provinces of China, including the Yunnan Province, which is adjacent to Myanmar’s border, he said. Therefore, Myanmar needs preventive and precautionary measures to guard against possible ASF infection, he added. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had reported African Swine Flu in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture of the People’s Republic of China, on 29 May. The region neighbours Myanmar’s Mongla area.
According to an announcement by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the ASF outbreak started in Liaoning Province on 3 August, 2018 and spread to 32 provinces and counties in 10 months, with 136 outbreaks registered in total. More than 1.1 million pigs were slaughtered to control the infection. Upgrading farm biosafety and biosecurity is essential to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever to Myanmar, according to the LBVD.
With highly virulent forms of the virus, the ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and boars. The virus is easily spread between pigs through direct contact, or indirectly by contact with contaminated objects. The biosecurity at pig farms plays a pivotal role in preventing an ASF outbreak. Preventive measures such as spraying acaricides in pig markets, avoiding feeding of leftover feedstuff to domestic pigs, systematic farming, purchase of only pedigree pigs, and separate farming of newly purchased and existing pigs need to be undertaken, the LBVD has stated in a notification.
The department has also urged people to avoid imported frozen pig and pork products such as bacon, ham, and sausage. The department has also said that hunting and farming of boars and domestic pigs must be avoided, and has asked people to report any suspicious signs at pig farms to the nearest LBVD and the Myanmar Livestock Federation. It has also asked people to cooperate with the concerned departments and organizations to carry out preventive measures and research on the disease. (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
