Thailand detects African swine fever in sample at slaughterhouse

BANGKOK, Jan 11 (Reuters) – Thai authorities said on Tuesday African swine fever had been detected in a surface swab sample collected at a slaughterhouse in Nakhon Pathom province, marking the country’s first official confirmation of the disease.

Authorities launched a probe at the weekend, after growing speculation in recent weeks that the disease was already decimating Thai pig herds and amid accusations of a cover up. read more

One sample had tested positive for African swine fever out of 309 collected, including blood samples from pigs at 10 farms and surface swabs at two slaughterhouses in swine-raising provinces, said Sorravis Thaneto, director-general of the Department of Livestock Development

“We found one sample that tested positive for African swine fever,” Sorravis told a news conference on Tuesday, where he vowed…