‘ASF virus issue in Sarawak not alarming’

Dzulkefly: Nothing to fear as it does not infect humans

LABUAN: The African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in Sarawak has yet to reach an alarming stage, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

“So there is nothing to fear about the spread of the ASF virus, as it is zoonotic, which means it does not infect humans,” the Health Minister told a press conference after the Bebuloh Health Clinic project ground-breaking ceremony here yesterday.

Dr Dzulkefly said they were working closely with Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services to address the possible spread of the virus.

“It is well under control. We are working together with the department to contain the virus,” he said, adding that his ministry would conduct sampling on porkbased products to ensure they were not contaminated by the ASF virus.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the sampling was to verify the effectiveness of the retort process, a food processing method.

The ministry, through its food safety and quality division, was also working together with the department to monitor the situation.

Dr Noor Hisham added that the department had urged the people to refrain from buying pork-based products and for farmers to stop the practice of swill feeding to prevent the risk of ASF.

Sarawak has enforced a temporary ban on pork and porkbased products imported from countries affected by ASF, including China.

On Oct 27, the department said it conducted tests on 17 canned luncheon pork imported from China and the DNA of ASF virus was detected in one of the samples.

It also confirmed that so far, there was no ASF infection found in pigs in Sarawak and the detection of the virus does not change the ASF-free status in the state.