Sri Lanka has issued a gazette notice banning the transport, slaughter, and sale of pigs infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) as part of ongoing efforts to combat the outbreak. This ban will remain in effect for three months.
According to K.K. Sarath, the Western Provincial Director of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Sri Lanka’s Western and Wayamba Provinces have the highest concentration of pig farms. The Western Province is home to approximately 1,000 registered pig farms, housing between 40,000 to 50,000 pigs. However, Sarath noted that the actual numbers may be under-reported by farmers, as indicated by the vaccination figures being presented.
It typically takes about six to eight months to grow and slaughter a pig, and the population numbers can fluctuate. Official data shows that 11,607 pigs have died due to ASF in the Western Province, with an estimated 21,000 currently infected.
African Swine Fever was first detected in Sri Lanka in 2019 and was subsequently controlled through various measures. This marks the second outbreak of the disease, Sarath confirmed. Authorities are also planning to issue another gazette notice to prevent the transport of pigs to other provinces.
Upul Rohana, head of the island’s Public Health Inspector’s Union, highlighted a 1896 British-era Ordinance that allows for such orders to be issued. While it remains unclear how the outbreak originated, it is advisable to consume only healthy animals free from infectious diseases. Although there are inspection requirements for cattle before and after slaughter, no such regulations currently exist for pigs, Rohana added.