African Babi Fever Virus, Ban On Pig Traffic Or Derivative Products Has Not Been Revoked By The West Papua Provincial Government

West Papua Province Quarantine Head Sondang Sitorus when interviewed in Manokwari, Wednesday. (ANTARA/Fransiskus Salu Weking)

MANOKWARI - The West Papua Province Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Center has not lifted the ban on pig traffic or its derivative products since 2021. One of the goals is to prevent transmission of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus or African swine fever. Increased surveillance through airports and seaports also continues to be increased. West Papua Quarantine Head Sondang Sitorus said the ban on pig traffic was contained in the Letter of the Head of the West Papua Province Animal Husbandry and Health Service Number 970/542/DIS-PKH-PB/04/2021. "Until now it is still prohibited. No pigs should enter or leave West Papua," said Sondang Sitorus in Manokwari, Antara, Wednesday, February 28. To optimize sea lane surveillance, he said, the Quarantine has collaborated with the Manokwari Navy FASHar, West Papua Police Ditpolairud, and local government agencies. Synergy and collaboration are strategic steps that have a positive impact on efforts to prevent the entry and exit of pigs and derivative products through small piers. "It is necessary to collaborate with all related elements so that West Papua really does not catch the pig virus," he said. He explained that the West Papua Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Center routinely educates business actors in the area to comply with regulations related to the prohibition of bringing in or issuing pigs and derivative products. Meanwhile, the level of pig breeders, socialization and education is the responsibility of the district government through related agencies throughout West Papua. "Quarantine routinely socializes but is limited to business actors. If it is socialized to the farmer level, that is the domain of the local government," said Sondang. According to him, if a pig is found to have been exposed to the ASF virus, then the relevant agency will immediately be quarantined to take action to destroy the animal in question. The next step is to spray disinfectant thoroughly in order to minimize the transmission of the ASF virus to other pigs at that location. "If in monitoring it is found that animal blood samples have been exposed, then we will coordinate with the service," said Sondang. For information, there are a number of clinical signs of pigs exposed to the ASF virus including redness in the abdomen, chest, and scrotum. Then, diarrhea bleeding, redness in the ear, fever 41° Celsius, conjunction, anorexia, ataxia, bitterness, seizures, sometimes vomiting, and bleeding of sinosis skin. The clinical condition caused the pig to be under pressure, often slept on the back, had difficulty breathing, and did not want to eat.

The ASF virus can spread through direct contact, insects, clothing, livestock equipment, vehicles, and contaminated feed.