The Ministry of Agriculture has prohibited the sale of pork contaminated with African Swine Fever (ASF), despite scientific confirmation that the disease poses no direct health risks to humans.
Agriculture Ministry Secretary D.P. Wickremasinghe stressed that only meat from livestock certified as healthy by veterinary authorities could be sold, in line with national animal health and production guidelines.
ASF, a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boar, has severely impacted Sri Lanka’s pig farming sector, particularly in the Western Province.
It has also spread to wild boar populations in key forest reserves, including Gampaha, Mirigama, Monaragala, and the Yala National Park.
The virus is known for its high mortality rate in the porcine family. However, it does not transmit to humans or other animal species.
The ministry has introduced biosecurity measures to contain the outbreak, including banning the use of leftover food waste (swill) as pig feed – a suspected vector for ASF transmission – and isolating infected animals to prevent further spread.
Veterinary authorisation is now mandatory for slaughtering pigs, with only certified meat permitted for sale.
Department of Wildlife Conservation Director of Wildlife Health Dr. Tharaka Prasad highlighted the gravity of ASF’s impact on the wild boar population, stating that the mortality rate among infected animals was extremely high.
While exact data on deaths remain unavailable, the spread to wild populations raises significant ecological and agricultural concerns.
ASF, distinct from swine influenza, does not pose a zoonotic threat. However, it disrupts livestock production and has economic repercussions. The virus is transmitted through direct contact, contaminated feed, or fomites such as clothing and vehicles, necessitating stringent containment protocols.
Separately, swine flu, caused by influenza A virus, continues to circulate among pigs globally, with subtypes such as H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2 being prominent. Unlike ASF, swine flu can reassort genetic material when pigs are co-infected with human, avian, and swine influenza viruses, potentially leading to novel strains.
With the outbreak, the ministry has also prioritised the establishment of a long-delayed laboratory for medicine quality checks to enhance the nation’s capacity for veterinary diagnostics and disease control.
Wickremasinghe confirmed that efforts were underway to expedite this critical infrastructure, along with comprehensive data collection on medicine shortages, livestock health, and related issues to inform future policy actions.