Kapit Division, Telang Usan District declared African Swine Fever control areas

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Kapit Division and Telang Usan District have been declared as African Swine Fever disease control areas.

KUCHING (July 5): Kapit Division and Telang Usan District have been declared as African Swine Fever (ASF) disease control areas, said Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.

He said the order was declared by Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in view of news reports of suspected ASF outbreak at Nunukan and Krayan Provinces in North Kalimantan, Indonesia and the close proximity to these provinces.

“This Order is made under Section 35(1)(b) of The Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999,” he said in a statement.

Dr Adrian said the public, including pig farmers in these ASF disease control areas are advised to refrain from feeding table scraps or swill to pigs; moving live pigs, pork, or pork products out of and into these ASF disease control areas; and bringing, purchasing online, or posting any pork or pork products into and out of these areas.

“At the same time, pig farmers are to report any sudden death of pig(s) and any illegal activities involving pork and pork products to the nearest Divisional Veterinary Office; increase farm sanitation and surroundings using disinfectant; wash and disinfect when in contact with animal or animal products; avoid contact of wild boars with farm animals by increasing physical barriers; and to avoid visiting pig farms and discourage visitors to pig farms,” he said.

He also stressed that any pork or pork products which are moved or offered for sale or sold in contravention of this Order may be seized or destroyed by the State Veterinary Authority.

“No compensation shall be payable for any pork or pork products seized or destroyed under this section.

“Failure to comply will result in a fine not exceeding RM1,000,” he added.

He said pig farmers in other divisions are also advised to step up vigilance and tighten farm biosecurity and discourage visitors.

“Please report to the nearest Divisional Veterinary Office immediately if any abnormal mortality is observed or WhatsApp to 016-2840918,” he said.

He also urged the public, particularly those in ASF disease control areas, to refrain from buying, selling (physical and online), or keeping live wild boar and wild boar meat in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We seek your cooperation on all the above matters. Please be informed that bringing in pork or pork products from Indonesia without permit from the State Veterinary Authority is an offence under Section 9(1) of The Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999,” he said.

Upon conviction under this Ordinance, the penalty shall not exceed RM50,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding two years.

Dr Adrian said that as of today, Sarawak is still free of African Swine Fever disease in pigs.

“The public is assured that the pork in the market is safe to consume as African Swine Fever virus is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans.

“Continuous surveillance and border control across Sarawak will be carried out by DVSS,” he said.