March 9, 2022

Biggest Australian pork producer confirms Japanese encephalitis outbreak

SunPork, Australia's biggest pork producer, has confirmed several of its swine farms in the eastern states of the country have been impacted by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Queensland Country Life reported.

Dr Robert van Barneveld, SunPork Group CEO and managing director said this was not a new occurrence, there will be no disruptions to the company's operations, and there is no cause for alarm in the domestic swine sector.

He said the swine are safe to consume and the swine will not infect other hogs.

Dr Barneveld said state health departments and the state chief veterinary officers are working together, adding that SunPork has prepared for African swine fever which puts the company in a great position to handle this outbreak.

There are no JEV vaccines approved for use in Australia, but current JEV treatment for animals are not effective.

Dr Mark Schipp, , Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer, said JEV has been detected at 14 swine farms in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria.

Dr Trisha Pullos, Goondiwindi and District Veterinary Services owner and vet said the likely cause of JEV was due to heavy rains in parts of Queensland and New South Wales.

-      Queensland Country Life