How African Swine Fever can affect humans

China, the world’s largest pig producer, is estimated to have culled about one-fifth of its pig population early this year due to ASF. — AFP

The spectre of African Swine Fever (ASF) rose its head in Sarawak recently when one out of 17 samples of canned pork luncheon meat imported from China was found to contain the ASF DNA.

While the state’s pigs are currently still clear of ASF infection, outbreaks of this zoonotic disease have occurred in neighbouring countries Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines, as well as China and other Asian and Eastern Europe countries.