SANDAKAN – At least 100 Borneon bearded pigs in forest reserves in the state have been found dead believed to be due to the African swine fever (ASF) virus, said Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga.
The department has been finding one carcass a day, since the discovery of 14 dead wild pigs in Kinabatangan between December last year and January this year.
“The Veterinary Services Department couldn’t find signs of the virus in the dead pigs (in Kinabatangan) at first, but has now confirmed that they died due to it.
“This follows the discovery of the virus in dead domestic pigs in Pitas (which was declared an outbreak area on February 23). The virus has also spread to other areas in Sabah,” he said, adding that the source of infection is still being investigated.
He said humans cannot catch the virus, but it can severely affect the state’s economy, and wildlife and forest conservation efforts.
He added that hunting licences have been frozen since last year.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan has declared some districts as ASF outbreak areas under the Animal Enactment 2015.
Districts that involve domestic pigs are Pitas and Kota Marudu, while ones that involve wild boars are Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Beluran, Telupid and Sandakan.
This declaration will enable the department to control the outbreak, including culling pigs, with help from the district Disaster Management Committee.
ASF has not been detected in pig farms in Tawau, Sandakan, Tenom, Papar, Tuaran dan Penampang. – Bernama, March 17, 2021
