August 8, 2018

Sarawak imposes temporary bans on poultry imports from Sabah

On August 3, a chicken farm in Tuaran, Sabah, was declared positive for bird flu (also known as avian influenza) outbreak. The local government has instructed the culling of all birds within one-kilometre radius of the farm.

Following the epidemic episode, Sarawak has banned poultry and poultry product imports from its neighbouring state to prevent the spread of the disease.

According to Sarawak Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Abdul Rahman Ismail, only Lawas district, which is situated along the border with Sabah, would be affected by the ban.

Limbang Division veterinary officer, Dr. William RovinaNating, said that the decision on the ban has been informed to all government department heads in Lawas.

"The ban includes any products that entered Sarawak where import permits had been approved before this ban came into effect," Natingrevealed.

He added that the ban would only be lifted once the Sarawak government is convinced that outbreak in Sabah has been resolved.

Simultaneously, Sabah's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has culled an estimated 10,000 chickens and was expected to cull another 18,000 yesterday.