Bali Pig Farmers Warned to Beware of ASF Virus

SUARA NEGERI | BALI — News of the mass pig deaths among pig farmers in Canggu, Badung, and Payangan, Gianyar, has caused concern among pig farmers in Denpasar. The deaths are suspected to have been caused by the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus, which previously affected pig farmers around 2024. Currently, the Denpasar City Agriculture Office can only urge farmers to regularly maintain the cleanliness of their pens.

The Denpasar City Agriculture Office stated that there have been no reports of mass pig deaths among farmers in Denpasar.

"To date, there have been no reports or complaints regarding this case. Astungkara, there have been none," said Ni Made Suparmi, Head of the Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Division of the Denpasar City Agriculture Office.

To anticipate this, the Denpasar City Agriculture Office continues to conduct outreach to farmers, urging them to maintain the cleanliness of their pens and regularly spray them with disinfectant. They also urge farmers not to enter pig pens carelessly.

"Especially when you just arrived from outside, you must clean yourself before entering the pen," Suparmi advised.

In addition to the 2024 outbreak of pig deaths, ASF also affected pigs in Denpasar from 2019 to 2020. The most obvious symptom of the virus was the sudden death of pigs. This triggered a drop in pork and pork prices at that time.

The current situation affecting farmers in Canggu, Badung, and Payangan, Gianyar, is exactly the same as in 2024. Pen cleanliness is a major factor in the spread of the virus, in addition to external factors.

Therefore, pig farmers in Denpasar are being warned to maintain cleanliness to avoid significant losses due to these sudden deaths. (Made/BK)