‘Carcasses in Ampang no threat to public health’

Samples from the carcass of a wild boar collected near Dataran Ukay were sent for testing. — Courtesy photo

Relieved Dataran Ukay residents to monitor, alert authorities if smell worsens

Residents of Dataran Ukay in Ampang, Selangor, can heave a sigh of relief after tests have confirmed that wild boar carcasses found in the neighbourhood do not pose a health risk to humans.

The Selangor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) confirmed that the animals died from African Swine Fever (ASF), a disease that affected only wild and domestic pigs.

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Selangor Perhilitan director Wan Mohd Adib Wan Mohd Yusoh said the department received six complaints between April 28 and May 15 after a number of wild boar (Sus scrofa) carcasses were discovered at Jalan Tebrau 1 and Dataran Ukay.

“A separate complaint was also lodged over the carcass of a dusky leaf monkey (lotong) found nearby.

“Preliminary checks indicated the monkey died from infection and blood contamination due to injuries to its leg.

“Samples from the wild boar carcasses were sent to the Veterinary Services Department’s Central Zone Veterinary Laboratory for ­testing,” he said in a media statement.

“ASF only infects pigs and does not spread to humans or other animal species,” Wan Mohd Adib said, adding that while the disease did not pose a public health risk, strict control measures were crucial to prevent outbreaks in the wild and farmed pig population.

StarMetro’s report on May 20.

He reminded the public not to touch or approach wild animal carcasses and to report any such findings to the authorities immediately.

Dataran Ukay Resident G. Kukanathan, 70, said the community was relieved that the root cause has been identified and there was no threat to human health.

Kukanathan said the stench in the area had reduced but was still noticeable at times.

“A few days ago, I detected a slight smell behind my house,” he said, speculating that there could be more carcasses in the forest.

He said residents would continue to monitor the situation and lodge a report if the odour persisted or became worse.

“We hope Perhilitan will monitor wild boar activities in the area, while we do our part by alerting them if the smell worsens,” said Kukanathan.

Another resident, Saif KL Chai echoed feelings of relief after knowing the stench was harmless to humans.

Information or complaints related to wildlife can be directed to the Perhilitan hotline at 1-800-88-5151.