DVSS declares Limbang as ASF disease control area due to proximity to Sabah

KUCHING (Feb 26): Sarawak has declared Limbang as an African Swine Fever (ASF) disease control area given its geographical location which is close to Sabah where an ASF case has been reported.

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

“The public in Limbang, including pig farmers, are advised to refrain from feeding table scrap or swill feeding to pigs; moving live pigs, pork or pork products out of and into Limbang without permit from DVSS.

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

Dr Adrian also advised pig farmers to report any sudden death of pig(s) and any illegal activities involving pork and pork products to the nearest Divisional Veterinary Office.

Pig farmers should increase farm sanitation and surrounding using disinfectant, wash and disinfect after in contact with pig or pig products, avoid contact with wild boar or farm animals by increasing physical barrier, he said.

He added that they should also avoid visiting pig farms and discourage visitors to pig farms.

On top of that, Dr Adrian said all transporters from outside Sarawak must declare any animal or animal products in possession to the officer at the entry point entering the state including airport and seaport.

“Any pork or pork products which are moved or offered for sale or sold in contravention of this order, will be seized or destroyed by the State Veterinary Authority.

“No compensation shall be payable for any pork or pork products destroyed or seized under this section. Failure to comply will result in fine not exceeding RM1,000,” he cautioned.

Dr Adrian also advised pig farmers in other divisions to step up vigilance and tighten the farm biosecurity and discourage visitors to their pig farms.

“Pig farmers are also requested to report to the nearest Divisional Veterinary 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 were tested positive for ASF.

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

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