Industry urged to be vigilant but remain focused on job at hand

PIRSA confirmed that the virus was detected last week but pork producers should have "no fear", says Pork SA chair Andrew Johnson, and should continue to operate as usual, but take precaution against a mosquito outbreak.

"Piggery operators and workers are front and centre for Pork SA during this time - we are working to ensure safety for the industry and ahead of a potential outbreak," he said.

Producers will be granted movement permits - meaning they will be allowed to operate their piggery under normal circumstances.

"If producers report cases of JE, they will still be able to deliver to abattoirs - they will not be penalised," Mr Johnson said.

"There are no food safety issues - consumers can be 100 per cent confident that pork quality is not affected by the virus."

Mr Johnson urged producers to report cases, so authorities could determine how widespread the virus was across SA.

A "lightning quick" response by industry and government has provided some reassurance for the sector, according to Australian Pork Limited chief executive officer Margo Andrae.

"A mosquito-borne disease was not something that industry was expecting, that is for sure, but the high biosecurity standards that are already in place will put producers in good stead to battle outbreaks," she said.

Despite sows recovering "easily" from the virus, the major impact is thought to be on production.

"If the virus is caught during the gestation period, it can cause termination or stillborn piglets - so that is a major concern.

"At this stage, it not transferred between pigs, but cases detected in sows will have a devastating effect on that animals production."

JE is a notifiable disease and need to be reported to vets or the disease watch hotline on 1800 675 888.

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