KUCHING: There is no outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Sarawak.
There was only one sample out of 17 canned luncheon pork imported from China that tested positive for DNA of ASF virus on Oct 25 during a laboratory test using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (q-PCR).
“So far there is no report of AFS infection in pigs in the state. The detection of the DNA virus in the canned luncheon pork does not change Sarawak’s ASF-free status,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Sarawak has enforced an all pork and pork products import ban from ASF-infected countries including canned pork products from China, he said.
He was refuting a Bernama report that quoted Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad in Labuan yesterday that the occurrence of ASF virus in Sarawak had yet to reach an alarming stage.
Dzulkefly was also reported as having said that his ministry was working closely with the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) to address the possible spread of the virus.
Uggah, who is also Second Finance Minister and Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said most of the affected product brand, 168, have been removed from the shelves.
“To date the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak has confiscated 220kg of animal products coming passing through all entry points.
“Compounds were issued due to the contradiction of import export conditions with various violation of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 at seaports,” he added.
Uggah also said that DVSS has conducted several sessions with the stakeholders and multi-agency corporations regarding ASF throughout Sarawak, sometime last August.
DVSS will strengthen its awareness campaign and regulatory measures to ensure that the virus does not enter the State, he said.
“The ban on the swill feeding is among the steps taken to stop the practice once and for all. DVSS will also continue to enforce the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 to ensure that pork and pork products imported are from countries that are free from ASF.
“All imports must have import permits and smugglers will be severely dealt under the law.”
