April 1, 2020

African swine fever reported in Papua New Guinea

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) confirmed positive African swine fever (ASF) cases in Papua New Guinea, reported Reuters.

ASF was discovered in four villages in the district of Mendi Munihu, at the Southern Highlands province. 396 swine in total have died from ASF in the area, cited OIE referencing a report from Papua New Guinea's veterinary services.

OIE said the first cases were reported on March 5, 2020 and subsequently confirmed as ASF on March 25, 2020.

ASF has widely spread across Asia since it first decimated the biggest swine herd in the world, China. It has since moved across southeast Asia, infecting swine in the Philippines and Indonesia.

The ASF outbreak in China has badly affected world meat markets as China approve new import sources to supplement dwindling pork supplies in the country.

-      Reuters