KOTA KINABALU: African Swine Fever (ASF) has resurfaced in Sabah, detected in 12 pigs at a farm in Keningau district on Jan 7, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan announced.
The district Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has taken immediate measures to cull and halt the movement of pigs from the farm where 12 out of 20 pigs tested positive for ASF.
"The detection of ASF cases again classifies Keningau district as a Red Zone (Infected Zone) from its current status of a green zone (Recovery Zone)," he said on Sunday (Jan 12).
Field investigations revealed pigs exhibiting ASF infection signs, such as lack of appetite, weakness, runny nose, and eventual death.
After samples tested positive for ASF, a quick control protocol was implemented under Subsection 45(2) of the Animal Enactment 2015.
The actions include immediate restrictions on the movement of pigs and pig products from the Keningau district.
The department has also initiated active surveillance throughout Sabah to ensure the disease does not spread further, he said.
Kitingan advised pig breeders to enhance the biosecurity of their farms and breeding sheds.
"Pig farmers are prohibited from feeding uncooked kitchen waste to pigs and visiting diseased barns or farms.
"Farmers are advised not to buy live pigs or pork from sources with unknown livestock health," he added.
ASF is caused by the Asfvirus, infecting pigs through direct contact with ASF-infected pigs and indirectly through contact with contaminated equipment or handlers.
Kitingan urged the public, especially pig farmers and operators, to report cases of sick or dead pigs to the nearest DVS office for immediate action to contain the disease swiftly.
He assured that the pork supply ahead of the Chinese New Year celebration is sufficient from local pig farms in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau.
Earlier, Keningau was declared an ASF-infected district on July 1, 2021. No new cases have been detected in wild boar for now.
All commercial pig farms in Tawau, Sandakan, Tenom, Papar, Tuaran, and Penampang remain ASF free.
ASF only infects pigs and is not zoonotic, meaning it cannot infect humans, he said, adding that the community need not worry about the effects of ASF on human health.
