Dept: Tourists cannot bring in animal products

PETALING JAYA: Tourists are not allowed to bring in animal products as authorities tightened the country’s air and sea entry points to keep out the African swine fever (ASF).

The Veterinary Services Department said the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) had been instructed to strengthen their quarantine controls at the entry points.

Its chief Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam (pic) also advised Malaysians visiting China not to visit pig farms there.

China has been suffering a major outbreak of ASF in its pig farms since August.

Although ASF does not sicken humans, the disease has a high mortality rate among pigs.

Dr Quaza said local pig farms were urged to increase the biosecurity in their farms as preventive measures.

“The department will improve its controls and inspections on pig farms in the country,” he said.

Malaysia has been on alert since ASF was found in China’s pork products exported to other countries.

The Veterinary Services Department has since banned the import of sausage casings, sliced pork meat, smoked ham and pork enzymes from China to Malaysia.

Since Nov 12, imports are only allowed for canned pork products from China that have gone through the retort process, a high heat and high pressure treatment process during cooking.

The virus can survive for an hour if it is processed at a temperature of 60°C for 20 minutes, a week if left at between 25°C and 37°C and can last for years if kept at 4°C or frozen.

Other Asian countries have also issued bans on Chinese pork products, Dr Quaza said.