January 28, 2021

Malaysian minister slams African swine fever rumours in Sabah state

Jeffrey Kitingan, Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah state, Malaysia, has criticised online rumours calling consumers to avoid consuming pork in the state because it has been infected with African swine fever (ASF), Free Malaysia Today reported.

Kitingan, who is also the state's Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, said ASF does not pose a health risk to humans as the disease cannot be transmitted from swine to humans.

He reiterated that the virus is not harmful to humans, but it does pose a threat to the state's pork industry.

Kitingan said the state remains ASF-free as no commercial farms have been affected by ASF. Sabah state has discovered 10 cases of ASF so far.

He said swine slaughtered in the state will be sent to certified abattoirs by the veterinary department before being sold to consumers, so it will be checked for ASF and other diseases.

He assured consumers that there will be enough pork supply to meet rising demand for the meat for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations.

-      Free Malaysia Today