November 18, 2005

Malaysia bars shipment of Penang pigs; disease suspected
 

Malaysian authorities on Friday banned pigs in a northern state from being transported elsewhere in the country because of a possible outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Several pigs on a farm in Penang state died Tuesday of suspected foot and mouth disease, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Kerk Choo Ting told the national news agency, Bernama.

The disease - which does not infect humans - has previously hit cows and goats in eastern Malaysia. It affects cloven-footed animals, causing blisters on their mouths and feet. It is not usually fatal, but authorities generally slaughtered animals to stop its spread.

"If confirmed ... this would be the first time in this country that foot and mouth disease has been found in pigs," Kerk said.

The farm was quarantined immediately after the owner reported the deaths, Kerk said, adding that authorities believed the pigs were infected "from a neighbouring country," which he did not name.

Veterinary officials were conducting further tests on the dead pigs. Agriculture ministry officials could not immediately be reached for further details.

Reports of possible outbreaks were sensitive because they sometimes prompted governments in other countries to ban meat imports from the affected area.