February 12, 2025

 

ASF confirmed in Tsento, Paro, Bhutan

 

 

African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed in Zangkhaphug, Tsento, Paro, Bhutan, affecting two households and 11 pigs, officials reported on February 8.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) has identified poor farm biosecurity, inadequate farming practices, and the feeding of uncooked kitchen waste and food scraps from hotels and restaurants as the leading causes of the outbreak.

 

Dr. Sangay Rinchen, programme director of the National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), said that following the confirmation of the outbreak, Bhutan’s Incident Operation Centre was activated to implement immediate response measures.

 

The intervention follows the National African Swine Fever Prevention and Control Plan (NASFPCP 2021).

 

"To control the spread of ASF, the confirmed 11 pigs would be culled and disposed of," he said. "Despite repeated advisories to improve pig farm biosecurity, including enhanced farm management and pig husbandry practices, most farms have poor farm biosecurity."

 

The MoAL in its public notification shared on February 10 advised farmers to safeguard their farms and improve biosecurity given the increasing incidence of ASF outbreaks in the country.

 

The ministry also raised concerns over the ongoing illegal importation of pork and pork products across the border, which remains a significant challenge in controlling the spread of ASF.

 

Since 2020, Bhutan has recorded ASF outbreaks in Chukha, Samtse, Pemagatshel, Trashigang, Paro, Sarpang, Dagana, Samdrupjongkhar, Punakha, and Wangdue. In efforts to curb the disease, about 2,740 pigs have been culled between 2020 and 2024.

- Kuensel Online