KOTA KINABALU: African swine fever (ASF) has resurfaced in Sabah after it was detected in a herd of pigs at a farm in the state’s interior Keningau district on Jan 7, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
He said the district Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has taken immediate measures to cull and stop the movement of the pigs from the farm, where 12 of 20 pigs tested positive for ASF.
“The detection of ASF again puts Keningau district as a Red Zone (Infected Zone), from its current status of a green zone (recovery zone),” he said yesterday.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, with mortality rates often reaching 100%.
While ASF poses no danger to human health, it has a severe impact on pig populations, especially on pig farms.
Based on the field investigations, Kitingan said the pigs showed clinical signs of ASF, including lack of appetite, weakness and runny nose, before dying.
“After the samples tested were found to be ASF positive, a quick control protocol was implemented under Subsection 45(2) of the Animal Enactment 2015, including immediate restrictions on movements of pigs and pig products from the Keningau district.
The department has also started active surveillance throughout Sabah to ensure that this disease does not spread, he said.
Keningau was last declared as an ASF-infected district on July 1, 2021.
The ASF virus is highly resilient and can survive on clothes, boots, wheels and other materials, including in various pork products such as ham, sausages or bacon.
As such, humans’ correct behaviours can play a critical role in stemming the spread of this disease.
According to Kitingan, pig breeders have received advice 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 whose livestock health status is unknown,” he added.
Kitingan also urged all members of the public, especially pig farmers and operators, to report cases of sick or dead pigs to the nearest DVS office for immediate action so that the disease can be contained quickly.
For now, no new cases have been detected in wild boar, while all commercial pig farms in Tawau, Sandakan, Tenom, Papar, Tuaran and Penampang are still ASF-free.
He said that with Chinese New Year approaching, there is an adequate supply of pork from pig farms in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau.
