By Olivia Miwil - March 18, 2021 @ 12:09pm
KOTA KINABALU: The spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Sabah might threaten the survival of the Bornean bearded pig.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said to date, there are at least 128 confirmed deaths involving the species. The population of the Bornean bearded pig has been declining.
"I am concerned the African Swine Flu will further decrease their population at a much faster rate," he said in a statement.
Jeffrey, who is Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, had directed the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to convene an urgent steering committee meeting with relevant departments and agencies to coordinate efforts to control and eradicate ASF in Sabah.
The first meeting, chaired by state DVS director Dr Peter Lee was held on Tuesday. It was attended by representatives from the State Attorney General's Office, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Community Development Leader Unit, Information Department, Local Government and Housing Ministry and the police.
During the meeting, members were briefed on strategies that will be used to curb the ASF disease from spreading to major pork production areas in Sabah.
"The committee discussed how to best solve the problem and raise awareness among the people in ASF-hit areas.
"This include awareness campaign activities, determining how to contain the disease from spreading further among the wild Bearded pigs population and the best way to dispose of pig carcasses," said Jeffrey.
The Sabah Wildlife Department has suspended hunting licences and prohibited the selling of smoked wild boar meat.
So far, no new ASF cases have been recorded among backyard pigs while commercial pig farms in Tawau, Sandakan, Tenom, Papar, Tuaran and Penampang have remained ASF-free.
The DVS has carried out ASF awareness campaigns in 74 villages in Pitas, the district where ASF was first discovered.
The department, which is continuing surveillance in ASF-free districts, has collected 409 samples from abattoirs, commercial pork sales centres and sinalau bakas (smoked boar meat) vendors throughout the state.
"As a result of this sampling collecting exercise, ASF is found in Tawau, bringing the total number of districts with confirmed ASF cases to eight.
"The other seven districts are Pitas, Kota Marudu, Beluran, Telupid, Kinabatangan, Sandakan, Lahad Datu,"
"We will ensure this disease does not reach our commercial pig farms to ensure pork supply for local consumption remains unaffected," he said, adding 110 backyard pigs has been culled, while 395 other pigs have died of the virus.
He reminded the public that ASF only affects pigs and there is no need to be worried about the virus' effects on human health.
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