Recording 100 Dead Pigs Per Day As A Result Of The ASF Virus, Central Papua Mimika DPKH Gathers Breeders

Photo archives - Farmers care for their pigs in Jono Oge Village, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi (DOK ANTARA)

PAPUA - The Animal Husbandry and Health Service (DPKH) of Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province said, until now the number of pigs that died from the african twine fever (ASF) virus has reached 1,726. Head of the Animal Health Division, Bakti Erma Surfani, said that every day there are more than 100 pigs that die from exposure to the ASF virus. "As of February 20, 2024, there were 1,726 pigs that died due to the ASF virus, so we urge farmers to sterilize cages to prevent the spread to other cages," he said in Timika, Antara, Wednesday, February 21. According to Bakti, currently his party is still conducting further studies to break the chain of spreading the ASF virus in Mimika Regency. "We have invited pigholders to work together to discuss steps to break the ASF chain, because the parties who are very affected are farmers who are also traders," he said. This ASF virus can survive for a long time. His party suggested that breeders sterilize the cage for six months. "This virus is able to live for a long time, so we urge farmers to sterilize cages by spraying disinfectants and emptying cages for six months," he said. He added that the Animal Husbandry and Health Service provides vaccines for livestock that are still healthy, and if one cage has been infected, it must be vacated for a long time.

"Indeed, for cages that have been infected, they must be vacated for a long time and sprayed with disinfectant to sterilize the cage, this is one of the steps to break the ASF chain," he said.