Manado (ANTARA) - Vice Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) - North Sulawesi, Ivanry Matu, said on Monday that the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus is causing harm to breeders in the area.

"It must be admitted that pig farmers in North Sulawesi are suffering losses because their livestock has been infected with the ASF virus," he said.

He mentioned that, to avoid significant losses, the farmers are selling their pigs directly to buyers at low prices.

He called on the government to take immediate measures so that the virus can be eliminated soon and farmers can regain their prosperity.

North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey on Wednesday (July 16) said that local governments have conducted surveillance and handling to check the spread of the virus.

The social impact of the virus has been quite high, and farmers have been devastated, he added.

He said that breeders must remain diligent in cleaning their pens so that the ASF virus does not attack pigs.

The government is considering steps to overcome the losses experienced by the community, and this must be done carefully.

He said that the ASF virus was confirmed in Minahasa after the Maros veterinary laboratory in South Sulawesi announced the detection of the virus.

According to him, human negligence is one of the factors that has caused the spread of the ASF virus in North Sulawesi because restrictions have not been imposed in border areas.

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Translator: Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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