KUCHING, July 5: Kapit Division and Telang Usan District have been declared as African Swine Fever (ASF) disease control areas following news reports of a suspected outbreak at nearby Nunukan and Krayan Provinces of Kalimantan Utara, Indonesia.
Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, in stating this, advised the public in ASF disease control areas to refrain from buying, selling or keeping live wild boars and wild boar meat.
He asserted that activities such as feeding, moving, bringing, purchasing online or posting any live pigs, pork or pork products into and out of these control areas are discouraged.
In the meantime, he said, pig farmers are to increase sanitisation frequency of farms and individuals in contact with related animal or animal product, prevent contact between wild boars and farm animals, and disallow visitors to pig farms.
Dr Adrian also said these farmers and the public should report any sudden death of pigs and any illegal activities involving pork and pork products to the authorities.
“Pig farmers in other Divisions are also advised to step up vigilance and tighten the farm biosecurity while discouraging visitors to pig farms.
Please report to the nearest Divisional Veterinary Office immediately if any abnormal mortality is observed or WhatsApp to 016-284 0918,” he said in a statement today.
Anyone caught bringing in pork or pork products from Indonesia without a permit from the State Veterinary Authority, he said would be committing an offence under Section 9 (1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.
He emphasised that offenders would be convicted with a penalty not exceeding RM50,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
Meanwhile, Dr Adrian said the pork or pork products found may be seized or destroyed and no compensation shall be payable for these products.
“As of today, Sarawak is still free of the ASF disease in pigs. The public is assured that the pork in the market is safe to consume as ASF virus is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans.
“Continuous surveillance and border control across Sarawak will be carried out by the DVSS,” he added. — DayakDaily
