Limbang declared as an African Swine Fever disease control area

KUCHING: Sarawak has declared Limbang as an African Swine Fever (ASF) disease control area given its close geographical proximity to Sabah, where a confirmed case has been reported.

Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud said the declaration was made under Section 35 (1) (b) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.

“The people in Limbang, including pig farmers, are advised to refrain from feeding table scraps or swill-feeding to pigs, and also avoid moving live pigs, pork or pork products out of and into Limbang without the permit from DVS Sarawak.

“They are also advised against bringing, purchasing via online or posting any pork or pork products into and out from Limbang,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Adrian also advised pig farmers to report to the nearest divisional DVS office any sudden death of pigs among their drove and any illegal activity involving pork and pork products.

Pig farmers should enhance the sanitisation works on their farms and surrounding areas by using effective disinfectants; clean themselves up thoroughly after in contact with pigs or pig products; and avoid contact with wild boars or farm animals by increasing the physical barriers, he said.

Dr Adrian added that the farmers should also avoid visiting other pig farms and discourage visitors from coming.

“All transporters from outside Sarawak must declare any animal or animal product in possession to the officer at every entry point into the state, including airports and seaports.

“Any pork or pork product being moved, offered for sale or sold in contravention of this order, would be seized or destroyed by the State Veterinary Authority.

“No compensation shall be made payable for any pork or pork product destroyed or seized under this section. Failure to comply will result in a fine not exceeding RM1,000 being imposed,” he said.

Dr Adrian also advised pig farmers in other divisions across Sarawak to step up vigilance, tighten their farms’ biosecurity, and discourage visitors from coming to their farms.

“Pig farmers are also requested to report to the nearest divisional DVS office immediately if any abnormal mortality is observed in their farms,” he added.

On Feb 22, Sarawak enforced an import ban on pig, pork and pork products from Sabah following news reports that eight out of 13 pigs sampled from Pitas, Sabah, had tested positive for ASF.

The ban was enforced under Section 8 of Sarawak Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, and any person caught violating the ban could be imposed with a fine up to RM50,000, or a face a maximum jail sentence of two years.