BANGKOK, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Wednesday said there is yet evidence to prove that Thai pigs are infected with African Swine Fever (ASF).
However, Thai Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said his ministry's Department of Livestock Development has rolled out measures to prevent ASF from emerging in Thailand.
Chalermchai said Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered all concerned authorities to stay on high alert.
One of the key measures is the banning of the import and smuggling of pork products from some neighboring countries.
"Thailand has already barred pig imports from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia," said Chalermchai. "These neighboring countries have reported swine fever outbreak since last month, so we must be very cautious of people bringing in meat products into the Thai borders too."
"We must also be very careful of the water sources we share with neighboring countries too," said Chalermchai. "We have stopped movements of pigs other than staying in the barn."
The Department of Livestock Development also ordered the culling of thousands of pigs in Chiang Rai Province after the department found out that Thailand was sharing the same water source with neighboring countries which saw ASF outbreak, said Chalermchai.
All vehicles crossing into the Thai border will be sprayed with sterilizing solution effective from now, said Chalermchai.
The Department of Livestock Development said ASF is harmless to humans but very contagious and fatal for pigs. However, the department cautioned all to consume only well-cooked pork.
