QuickCheck: Is the pork in Sabah contaminated with African Swine Fever?

Is the pork sold in Sabah infected with African Swine Fever and unsafe for consumption, as claimed in several social media posts?

VERDICT:

FALSE

Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan says the pork sold to the public for consumption is clear of diseases and safe to eat.

He added that talk circulating on social media that the meat is infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) and is therefore hazardous to health is untrue.

"ASF does not pose a health risk to humans and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans," Kitingan said.

He added that in Sabah, pigs are slaughtered in Veterinary Services Department (VSD)-certified abattoirs before being sold in the markets.

He said the pigs are examined for ASF and other diseases before slaughter.

“Samples will be taken for surveillance where necessary. So far, the department has not found any ASF-infected pigs in any of the slaughterhouses in Sabah,” Kitingan said.

He added that consumers may find the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding ASF from the DVS offices in all the districts throughout Sabah.