By Rathindra Kuruwita
Officials managing animal health in Sri Lanka were cautiously resuming pork sales after successfully containing the spread of African Swine Fever, Dr. G.A.D. Nandasiri, Deputy Provincial Director at the Department of Animal Production and Health for the Western Province, informed The Island on Friday (08).
In late October, the government issued a gazette notice prohibiting the transport, slaughter, and sale of pigs, infected with African Swine Fever, to curb the outbreak.
Dr. Nandasiri said: “African Swine Fever poses no risk to humans, and thoroughly cooked meat is safe to consume. As an initial measure, we are inspecting the existing pork stocks and allowing these to be sold. This process is underway across the country,” he said.
Authorities are also inspecting abattoirs to ensure that pigs there are free of the disease. After disposal, these facilities must remain pig-free.
“We have identified and monitored breeding farms unaffected by African Swine Fever and will soon begin distributing piglets from these farms to others. I believe
we can revitalise the industry in about two months,” he said.Dr. Nandasiri reassured the public that African Swine Fever is not a threat to human health and that the government has strengthened measures to prevent the entry of such foreign diseases.
