January 18, 2021

ASF cases detected in Sarawak, Malaysia

African swine fever (ASF) was detected in three backyard pig farms in Durin, Sibu division in Sarawak, Malaysia.

State Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom said the cases were confirmed on January 10 by the State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

He said the state Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has mobilised its personnel on the ground to determine the extent of the outbreak and taken all tnecessary actions to contain the disease from spreading further to other pig farms.

"ASF is a highly virulent and contagious viral disease affecting only pigs. The disease could lead to serious economic losses to our local farmers and also impact food security. The virus is not harmful to humans and it is not a zoonotic disease," he said in a statement.

He added that surveillance – both clinical and serological – was being conducted and specimens were taken for laboratory diagnoses.

Meanwhile, the import of pork and pork products were already banned from ASF infected countries, with such imports already banned from West Malaysia and Sabah.

Dr. Utom said the state DVS will continue to conduct checks at airports, seaports and shops to make sure pork and pork products brought in illegally are not sold to the public.

He said his ministry and the state DVS have had several engagements with the pig farmers for them to step up their farm biosecurity including preventing outsiders coming to visit their farms.

"We have also advised our pig farmers not to feed their pigs with leftovers from the restaurants or kitchens as the ASF virus in contaminated pork products can survive the cooking process and being highly resistant, can cause ASF infection in the pigs," he added.

The state DVS's Regulatory Division will continue to enforce the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 to ensure pork and pork products imported from the countries are free from ASF.

All imports must require import permits and smugglers will be severely dealt with the law.

Dr. Utom said there is currently no treatment or vaccines available to treat or control ASF and any farm infected with ASF will be sealed and quarantined, and all pigs inside the affected farm will be culled.

He said ASF was a disease that could greatly affect the economy for Sarawak and every attempt must be made to contain the disease and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the state.

"I wish to seek the cooperation from all the stakeholders, especially our local pig farmers to step up vigilance and their farm biosecurity measures to prevent ASF infecting their pig herd," he added.

- New Straits Times