KOTA KINABALU – Outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been declared in eight districts in Sabah, namely Pitas, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kota Marudu, Sandakan, Telupid and Tongod, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan.
Jeffrey, who is also Sabah agriculture and fisheries minister, said ASF, which affects pigs and wild boars, was also detected in the Tawau and Nabawan districts.
He said as of April 18, 398 pigs have been culled, while another 535 died of the disease.
“The Veterinary Services Department has conducted 234 awareness campaign programmes in 14 districts, not only to educate the public about the disease, but also to highlight the government’s efforts to prevent it from spreading to other districts.
“Despite Sandakan having been declared an ASF outbreak zone, the disease has not spread to the district’s main pork production farms.
“ASF only affects pigs and is harmless to humans,” he said in a statement today.
Kitingan said the department has also implemented new regulations to protect commercial pigs, including requiring special permits issued by it, to be obtained to move pigs and pork products from one area to another.
“Outlets selling pork infected with the ASF virus will be closed for one day for decontamination, and pork products can only be sold after they are screened and found free of the ASF virus... pig farms suspected of being the source of infected pork will be placed under quarantine for up to seven days to assist investigations,” he said. – Bernama, April 24, 2021
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