Pork problem: Quarantine control at entry points to be strengthened

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of pork.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) has been instructed to strengthen its quarantine control operations at entry points to the country via air and sea.

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) said tourists are not allowed to bring in animal products into Malaysia.

This is due to the major outbreak of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in China in August, which has since spread to many provinces.

DVS director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said tourists are not allowed to bring in animal products and Chinese nationals are also advised not to visit any pig farms in Malaysia.

“Pig farms are also advised to increase the biosecurity of their farms as a preventive measure.

“The DVS will also improve its controls and inspections on pig farms in the country,” he said in a statement Friday.

Dr Quaza said the ASF outbreak in China is worrying after the virus was discovered in pork products from the country that were brought in to other countries.

The DVS has since banned the import of sausage casings, sliced pork meat, smoked hams and pork enzymes from China to Malaysia.

Since Nov 12, imports are only allowed for canned pork products from China that have gone through the retort process, a high heat and high pressure treatment process while cooking.

The virus can survive for an hour if it is processed at a temperature of 60°C for 20 minutes, survive for a week if left at temperatures between 25°C and 37°C, and can last for years if kept at a temperature of 4°C or frozen.

“Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand have strengthened their quarantine control operations at entry points after discovering the virus in pork products that were brought in to their countries from China.

“Thailand has also banned the imports of pork and pork products to the country,” said Dr Quaza, adding that the ASF virus can survive for a long time in raw pork, preserved pork and pork leftovers.

On Dec 20, the ASF virus was discovered in a pork sausage from China, brought in by a tourist to Taiwan at the Kaohsiung International Airport.

The virus was also found in a vacuum packed pork sausage from China in Japan. The incident was reported on Oct 24.

South Korea also discovered the virus twice in livestock products from China.

Meanwhile in Chiang Rai, Thailand, pork sausages brought in by a China tourist were also found to contain ASF virus.