Joint Press Statement : PPD To Suspend Import Of Pigs From Farms North Of Johor

Following the Japanese Encephalitis outbreak in Malaysia, PPD has suspended the import of pigs from infected areas in Perak and Negri Sembilan since 3 Mar 99.

Four men working in the abattoirs in Singapore have been hospitalised over the last few days. Of these four cases, one has been diagnosed to be pneumonia and another bacterial meningitis. The causes of the other two cases are still under investigation. So far, evidence indicates that victims in the outbreak in Malaysia had close contact with pigs. Thus the general public who do not come into contact with live pigs are not in danger. Pork in Singapore is safe for consumption as the disease is not transmitted through eating pork.

As the outbreak in Malaysia has escalated, PPD is taking additional precautions to restrict the import of pigs from Malaysia in order to protect the workers in our abattoirs

With immediate effect, PPD will suspend the import of pigs from West Malaysian farms north of Johor. Only pigs from PPD accredited farms in Johor will be allowed into Singapore for slaughter.