KUCHING: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is advising the public against buying and selling wild boar meat or keeping live wild boars to prevent the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) disease.
Sarawak Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas declared Kapit Division and Telang Usan District as ASF disease control areas.
This was following news reports of suspected ASF outbreak at Nunukan and Krayan provinces in Kalimantan Utara, Indonesia and the close proximity (of the two state locations) to these provinces.
According to a DVS statement, the public, especially pig farmers, in these ASF disease management areas are encouraged to refrain from engaging in a variety of activities.
“The public and pig farmers are urged to refrain from feeding table scraps to pigs, moving, purchasing online or physically, pig or pork product in and out of the control areas.
“Pig farmers are reminded to report any sudden death of pigs and illegal activities as well as to increase farm sanitisation and surroundings using disinfectant.
“The pig farmers also need to wash and disinfect themselves when in contact with the animals or animal products while also avoiding contact of wild boars with farm animals by increasing physical barriers as well as avoid visitors to their pig farms.”
DVS added that any pork or pork products moved or offered for sale or sold in contravention of this order, would be seized or destroyed.
“No compensation will be paid for any pork or pork products seized or destroyed under this section, and failure to comply will result in a fine not exceeding RM1,000.
“Bringing in pork or pork products from Indonesia without permit is an offence under Section 9 (1) of the same Ordinance. Upon conviction, a penalty not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years will be meted out.”
As of Monday (July 5), Sarawak is still free of ASF disease and the public have been assured that the pork in the market is safe for consumption as the ASF virus is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans.
They can contact the nearest DVS office or WhatsApp telephone number 016-2840918.
