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ASF detected in Hong Kong slaughterhouse
The virus was detected in tissue samples collected from the condemned carcass of an imported pig.(Stock photo)
Culling of 6,000 pigs underway following protests 

African swine fever has been confirmed in a Hong Kong slaughterhouse for the first time, the country’s chief veterinary officer has confirmed.

The virus was detected in tissue samples collected from the condemned carcass of an imported pig.

Operations at the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse have been suspended since the outbreak on 10 May, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Hong Kong’s agriculture, fisheries and conservation department revealed last week that the pig was imported from Zhanjiang in China’s Guangdong province.

According to media reports, the batch including the infected pig had already been released to the market before the disease was confirmed.

Sophia Chan, secretary of the city’s food and health department, is quoted in the press as saying all pigs at the slaughterhouse would be culled so that thorough cleansing and disinfection could be carried out.

Plans to cull the 6,000 pigs were initially hindered by pork traders who threatened to stand guard overnight to prevent officials entering the slaughterhouse. An agreement was reached during talks on Sunday (12 May), meaning authorities began culling operations at the slaughterhouse yesterday (13 May).

Affected pork traders could be compensated HK$20 million, EJ Insight reported.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.