KUCHING, Feb 15: The decision to declare Sibu and Sarikei division as African Swine Fever (ASF) Disease Control Areas was made to ensure better and more effective control of the disease.
Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said this was necessary after ASF cases were detected at pig farms in Durin, Sibu; Meradong and Repok in Sarikei on Jan 14.
Samples taken from several farms in the areas were confirmed to be ASF positive following laboratory tests.
“To date, the declarations have yet to be lifted and they are still in effect. The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has managed to contain the disease and I seek the cooperation from all parties especially the producers to uphold good animal husbandry practices, strengthening farm bio-security, the butchers, the retailers as well as the transporters to practice strict hygiene and sanitation.
“DVS will continue to monitor all the pig farms, be it a commercial, small holder or even indigenous pigs kept in the villages and longhouses. The monitoring programmes include both clinical and serological surveillances to determine the spread of ASF in these two divisions,” Rundi said in a press statement today.
He reminded pig farmers to stop swill feeding using kitchen waste as contaminated food products including pork were often the cause and spread of ASF.
Apart from that, Rundi also urged pig farmers to step up their farm bio-security including discouraging farm visits and disallowing entry for vehicles that are not properly cleaned and disinfected. — DayakDaily
