African swine fever (ASF) situation update in Asia & Pacific

Overview

Hazard: African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease affecting pigs and wild boar with up to 100% case fatality rate.

ASF reported countries since August 2018: China, Mongolia, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, The Philippines, Republic of Korea, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, India, Malaysia, Bhutan, Thailand, Nepal and Singapore.

Actions taken

Actions taken by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea developed the National Strategy for ASF prevention and control during 2020-2025 (issued in May 2021).

Actions taken by the Republic of Korea
In response to the outbreak confirmed on 12 February, a quarantine team and an epidemiological investigation team were sent, a 48-hour standstill order on livestock-related facilities was placed, 30 pig farms within 10 km from the outbreak farm were inspected, disinfection units has been mobilized to disinfect pig farms and surrounding roads in 18 cities/counties in Gangwon-do [reference1, reference2].

Actions taken by China
In April 2021, MARA issued the “Work Plan for Regional Prevention and Control of African Swine Fever and Other Major Animal Diseases (Trial)”. The whole country was divided into five regions, and pig movement has been restricted only within the region. ASF-free zones are created in each region, only pigs from the free zones, breeding pigs and piglets are allowed to move beyond respective regions [reference1]. In response to the ASF outbreak in Ta Kwu Lin, the Hong Kong SAR’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: 1. banned the movement of pigs from the effected farm until further notice; 2. temporarily suspended the movement of pigs from the five farms within 3 km of the ASF affected farm, monitored the health of pigs in all local farms, and conducted surveillance to early detect pigs with abnormalities (no abnormalities were found); 3. strengthened cleaning and disinfection of mainland pig transportation vehicles and local ones at slaughterhouses, 4. continued to raise knowledge of pig raisers on preventing ASF by organizing meetings and seminars, developing and disseminating posters and guidelines on cleaning, disinfection, ASF, and control measures. A total of 45 pigs have died of the virus and 62 pigs were culled to stop the spread of the disease [reference2, reference3, reference4].

Actions taken by the Philippines
The reduced tariff rates of imported pork has been extended until 31 December 2023 [reference1]. The local authorities are mandated to strictly follow the National Zoning implementation and movement plan depending on the level of ASF risks [reference2]. On Luzon, at least 230 pig farmers in Ilocos Norte Province who were affected by the disease have received recovery aid in cash, food pack and vegetable seeds [reference3]. Backyard and commercial pig raisers in the province are also urged to secure insurance packages to help them recover part of their investment if their farms are affected by the disease [reference4]. On Visayas, the Iloilo provincial government is planning to strengthen the biosecurity measures especially on backyard farms; and start pig repopulation in red zone areas [reference5]. The DA-6 (Western Visayas) may start pig repopulation in Oton only after carrying out a risk assessment [reference6, reference7]. Cebu and Aklan provinces banned the importation of pigs and pork products from ASF affected areas [reference8, reference9], while Antique Province maintains intensified border checkpoints [reference10], and Negros Occidental Province is closely watching the ports of entry in the south [reference11]. On 6 February 2022, the Antique provincial government also issued an ordinance adopting and implementing the DA Babay ASF Program [reference12]. In response to the new outbreak in Capiz Province, DA-6 provided protocol to the province including depopulation of pigs within the 0.5km radius from the affected farm. The department also enhanced public awareness on the impact of ASF by showing information video about the disease [reference13]. In Negros Oriental Province, the Bureau of Animal Industry conducted training on surveillance and response processes [reference14]. In Cebu Province, Cebu City government deactivated its border checkpoints against ASF, authorities are still conducting an intensive monitoring in the port area, supermarkets, and slaughterhouses to keep the city away from the disease [reference15], according to media.

Actions taken by Malaysia
After the first confirmed outbreak in Sabah State, surveillance has been intensified in the whole country [reference1]. The government of Penang has declared ASF as state disaster [reference2]; Negeri Sembilan State issued a ban on wild boar hunting [reference3]; In Perak State, a movement restriction has been imposed on all farms located within a 2 km radius and farms that shared pig transport vehicles until surveillance is completed [reference4]; Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister informed that financial assistance to farmers affected by the disease will be distributed soon [reference5], according to media.

Actions taken by Indonesia
In December 2019, Ministry of Agriculture recommended the public the application of biosecurity and good management of pig farms as the main strategic steps to prevent ASF, as well as strict and intensive monitoring of high-risk areas [reference1]; the Livestock and Animal Health Services (DG PKH) formed Emergency Posts with Rapid Response Teams at all levels [reference2]. Recently, Lembata and East Flores Regencies in East Nusa Tenggara Province announced a ban on bringing livestock or processed pork products from outside the area to prevent the spread of ASF [reference3, reference4]. After five samples tested positive for ASF, Sikka Regency issued a letter (524.3/08/I/2023) requesting villages to be vigilant [reference5]; The NTT Animal Husbandry Service provided Kupang Regency with 1 000 L of disinfectant, and is ready to distribute also to other areas [reference6], according to media.

Actions taken by Timor-Leste
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) reactivated their public awareness campaign in collaboration with the Market Development Facility Australia to provide more accurate information for farmers and promote better practices [reference1, reference2]. To move a pig, pig transportation license for the driver, and pre-movement testing of pigs are required; and everybody are encouraged to follow biosecurity measures, according to media [reference3]. ‘African Swine Fever is Triggering Market Shifts’ MDF MarketView Timor-Leste #9, October 2022 was released that describes measures applied and value chain changes observed [reference4].

Actions taken by Papua New Guinea
NAQIA stepped up its ASF national risk communications and awareness campaign; strengthened responses for affected provinces and preparedness for non-infected provinces along the highway; urged farmers to practice biosecurity measures. “Quarantine Areas” and checkpoints at strategic locations have been set to control the movements of pigs and pork products. A restricted pig movement permit system has been implemented [reference1, reference2]. NAQIA is encouraging all provinces to develop their own ASF preparedness and response plans. NAQIA is now in the Recovery Phase of the ASF Response Plan with the aim to re-establish pig farming in the infected zone. The ASF impact survey Conducted in Upper Highlands illustrated strong need for value-chain and behaviour change communication (VC/BCC) [reference3]. NAQIA launched Biosecurity Policy 2022-2032 on 24 June 2022 [reference4], according to media. NAQIA recently launched the ASF repository website. NAQIA organized a 3-day national stakeholders consultation workshop on FMD, LSD and ASF in December 2022 [reference5].

Actions taken by Viet Nam
The “National Plan for the Prevention and Control of African Swine Fever for the period of 2020 – 2025” endorsed on 7 July 2020 (972/QD-TTg) set goals for ASF control, pig farm biosecurity application and laboratory capacity development to be achieved; defined restocking conditions, sampling requirements, surveillance, conditions for culling and moving-to-slaughter. The Department of Animal Health announced the licensing of NAVET-ASFVAC in June 2022. MARD has sent an official dispatch to Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to request all localities to strictly notify any animal diseases and to implement the month of environmental sanitation and disinfection from 1 to 31 March 2023 [reference1, reference2].

Actions taken by Lao People’s Democratic Republic
When an ASF outbreak confirmed, the Ministry designates Red Area around an outbreak to control the movement of pig and pork products and prohibits pork consumption; and yellow Area (3 km radius from the red areas) as designated surveillance zones.

Actions taken by Cambodia
Cambodia has temporarily suspended imports of pigs from neighbouring countries [reference1, reference2], in-country pig movement control has also been strengthened [reference3, reference4]. The Ministry of Agriculture forestry and fisheries has requested the General Department of Customs and Excise to strengthen the prevention and the crackdown on the illegal import of frozen pork and frozen pig organs. The Ministry has established a working group of legal experts to discuss and review the Law on Animal Health and Animal Production and Sub-Decree No. 17 (on enforcement if the list of prohibited and restricted goods) to propose amendments to harmonize regulations to effectively control smuggling of frozen items of pig origin (meat and organs).

Actions taken by Thailand
DLD implements ASF contingency plan with clinical practice guidelines [reference1] while the provinces monitor and follow-up the situation in accordance with the guidelines [reference2]. DLD is promoting the improvement of disease prevention systems and biosafety on farms, arranging low-interest loans [reference3].

Actions taken by Myanmar
Various control measures including movement control, surveillance, official carcass disposal have been implemented and raised awareness on good animal husbandry practices [reference].

Actions taken by Bhutan
The authority implemented 3D (Depopulation, Disposal and Disinfection) operation, surveillance, quarantine, movement control, awareness raising, import ban, and encouraged farmers to adopt good pig farming practices [reference1].  To enhance biosecurity and food safety services, the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) launched an online Bhutan biosecurity and food safety system (BBFSS) [reference2].

Actions taken by Nepal
In response to the new ASF outbreaks in Myagdi District in Gandaki Province, authorities requested pig raisers to isolate any ASF suspected pigs and report without delay, and dispose dead pigs by burial [reference2], according to media.

Actions taken by Singapore
After confirming the first case of ASF in wild boar, the government of Singapore are monitoring the health of wild boars in nature reserves, parks, and green spaces [reference1, reference2].

Actions taken by India
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) released the Disease Control Strategy Plan in June 2020 as guidance for State / UT Governments for ASF prevention, control and containment [reference1]. Individual ASF detected area implements control measures with reference to the guidance. According to media, on 18 January 2023, Champhai District in Mizoram State issued a notice and 1) banned import of pigs, pork and pork products from other countries/states; 2) prohibited slaughter of pigs, and ordered 3) separation of sick pigs, and 4) immediately notify veterinary offices – as precautional measures in response to rumours of pig deaths in neighbouring country [reference2]. Madhya Pradesh State is monitoring the movement of pigs in affected areas [reference3]; in Punjab State, Lalewal Village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar District has been declared as infected area and the district issued an order to ban the movements of pigs, pork, pork products, pig feed, and any pig farm related equipment and machinery in and out of the infected area [reference4], and a ban on movement of pigs and pork products have been placed in the Bhorsi Brahmna Village, Baba Bakala Town, Amritsar District, Punjab State due to ASF [reference5]; Tamil Nadu State banned cross border transport of live pigs to/from Nilgiris District and swill feeding, strengthened eight checkpoints in Gudalur taluk, and requested farmers to fence their farms and disinfect around their farms [reference6, reference7], the DAHD has coordinated with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states, and issued advisories to Animal Husbandry Departments and Forest Departments for taking preventive measures as per the National Action Plan of ASF. The Forest Department deployed teams to retrieve and destroy any carcasses of wild boars in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve [reference87] according to media.