KOTA BARU – The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, through the Veterinary Services Department (JPV), has tightened import conditions for live cattle to prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD), which has now reached several Asian countries.
Deputy Minister II Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi said the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department has been asked to tighten controls at entry points in the country, and take immediate action whenever imported cattle show symptoms of LSD.
He said industry players, including importers, middlemen and cattle breeders, must also contact the nearest JPV office if they suspect cattle in their care or stables show symptoms.
Sampling will be carried out for the purpose of confirming the disease, and infected cattle will have to be segregated and disposed of at licensed private abattoirs, he added.
“JPV has also activated a monitoring programme to detect, control and prevent the spread of LSD nationwide.
“So far, 81,252 heads of cattle in 9,108 farms or premises have been inspected, of which 89, or 0.1%, showed symptoms of LSD and have been culled.”
Che Abdullah said a piece of viral news urging people to not buy fresh beef due to LSD concerns is inaccurate.
He said LSD does not infect humans, adding that an image of an allegedly infected individual in Perak is fake.
Meanwhile, the Selangor JPV has detected a suspected case of LSD, involving five heads of cattle in Gombak last Wednesday.
State agriculture exco Izham Hashim said the cattle showed clinical symptoms, adding that blood and nodule samples were taken and sent to the laboratory for confirmation.
“The farm has been ordered to isolate the sick livestock, undergo quarantine and not move any livestock in or out of the farm.
“JPV is also implementing active surveillance on cattle and buffalo farms in the state.” – Bernama, June 5, 2021
