KOTA KINABALU – The World Organisation for Animal Health has acknowledged the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) involving domestic pigs and wild boars in Sabah.
Malaysia alerted the international organisation over the outbreak following the discovery of 34 dead wild boars in Kinabatangan, Sugut and Paitan on February 4.
However, results of tests carried out by local authorities have yet to confirm the cause of death as ASF.
Meanwhile, outbreak reports submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed that the pigs and wild boars found dead in Kudat, Beluran, Kota Marudu and Sugut succumbed to ASF.
A report sighted by The Vibes revealed that the incidents occurred at Kg Ompungoi in Pitas, Kudat; a forest reserve and Kg Kaboton in Sugut in Beluran, Sandakan; and Kg Radu Laut and Kg Patani Pitas in Kota Marudu, Kudat.
The Sabah Wildlife Department has yet to confirm the death of wild boars last month as being caused by ASF, but the state Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has confirmed that the virus has infected domestic pigs in Pitas.
“Following the death of wild boars in Kinabatangan, which tested negative via conventional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests by DVS, investigations were extended to the neighbouring district, where the first case of mortality involving backyard pigs in Pitas was reported.
“After the laboratory confirmation, the surveillance has been intensified and extended to other districts within a 50km radius from the index case.
The Sabah Wildlife Department, in its report on wild boar mortality rate in Beluran district, said that based on samples taken from the dead animals, they were for African swine fever.
The state government has so far announced plans to cull at least 3,000 domestic pigs in the northern sub-district near Kudat. – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
