By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 8: The Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) has joined a £3.4 million (about RM19.4 million) United Kingdom-funded international research project aimed at understanding, predicting and preventing African swine fever (ASF) in Sarawak, Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom.
According to a statement issued by SIDC today, the project is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), led by Professor Peter J Dodd of the University of Sheffield, and is one of 18 projects announced by UKRI on Oct 7.
The research consortium comprises SIDC, the University of Sheffield, the University of Liverpool and Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), with SIDC also collaborating with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak.
The project, titled “A data-driven approach to understanding, predicting, and preventing African swine fever in the UK and Southeast Asia”, aims to address gaps in understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of the ASF virus, as well as the factors driving its spread.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boar. While it does not pose a risk to human health, it can wipe out pig herds and cause serious economic and social hardship for farming communities.
In Sarawak and across Southeast Asia, the disease continues to pose a threat to pig farmers.
The project aims to position SIDC as a regional genomic reference centre for ASF through platform-agnostic whole-genome sequencing, while supporting vaccine strategy, harmonising regional practices and strengthening collaboration among countries.
Its ultimate goal is to provide farmers, authorities and policymakers with practical evidence to manage and control ASF.
SIDC Board of Directors chairman and Sarawak’s Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said securing the grant marked a significant milestone for Sarawak’s research and scientific community.
“This remarkable achievement demonstrates that SIDC has the capability to extend its research beyond Malaysia, establish meaningful collaborations with leading international universities, and contribute to addressing global challenges in infectious diseases,” he said.
SIDC chief executive officer Assoc Prof Ivan K S Yap said the project recognised the scientific capability developed in Sarawak through SIDC.
He said ASF did not respect national borders and required reliable data sharing and collaboration among research and veterinary partners.
“By combining genomic sequencing with the experience of our farmers and the expertise in SIDC and DVS Sarawak, we hope to give Sarawak the evidence it needs to protect its pig industry and the communities that depend on it,” he said.
The project builds on the growing research partnership between SIDC and the University of Sheffield, following a Memorandum of Understanding exchanged in Kuching in November 2024.
The agreement established plans for joint research, staff and student exchanges, as well as capacity building in infectious disease control and prevention for the Borneo region. — DayakDaily
