Strict inspections of processed pork products from overseas will be kept in place in a bid to stave off an outbreak of African swine fever, especially from China, after several samples of sausages confiscated from Chinese tourists entering Thailand were found to have a viral strain of African swine flu. Thailand has the biggest pork industry in Asean, with over 22 million pigs and 1.2 million sows. Sorawit Thaneto, chief of the Department of Livestock Development, said on Wednesday the department has confirmed that no African swine fever has been detected in Thailand. The Department of Livestock Development has discussed the case with the various agencies for strengthening cooperation to stop the disease from entering Thailand. The National Institute of Animal Health on Dec 10 found two samples of sausage that tested positive for African swine fever.

Source: Bangkok Post December 26, 2018 23:26 UTC