Sabah declares another district to be under ASF outbreak

 By Olivia Miwil - October 21, 2021 @ 5:31pm

Jeffrey, who is also the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, said the virus in both Kota Kinabalu and Tenom only affected backyard pigs and the cases were considered isolated. - NSTP file pic.

KOTA KINABALU: Papar is the latest district hit by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said.

This followed the presence of the virus detected in Kampung Kogopon and Kampung Purak on Sept 14.

The virus had caused the deaths of 91 backyard pigs in the two villages over a two-week period, resulting in an estimated loss of RM50,000.

"So far, the virus has only affected backyard pigs and not commercial pigs in the district's four main commercial farms. The commercial pig farms house approximately 9,400 heads," he said in a statement here.

Two other districts that have been declared to be under ASF outbreak are Kota Kinabalu on Sept 30 and Tenom on Oct 13.

Jeffrey, who is also the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, said the virus in both Kota Kinabalu and Tenom only affected backyard pigs and the cases were considered isolated.

"At this time, the ministry is not considering culling all of the pigs in these districts yet because the cases are isolated and pigs in commercial farms are ASF-free after several tests.

"Thus, the ministry is confident the supply of pork in the local market will be not disrupted".

As part of its efforts to curb the spread of the virus, Kitingan said the ministry would continue to control movement of pigs and pork products between districts, intensify awareness campaigns in villages and relevant locations, and monitor activities in farms and abattoirs in all affected districts.

Earlier this year, similar disease control measures were implemented in 19 other districts, and the efforts paid off when seven of these districts were reclassified from 'red zones' to 'yellow zones' after no new ASF cases were reported in the last 60 days.

Those districts are Pitas, Kota Marudu, Beluran, Telupid, Tongod, Kinabatangan and Sandakan.

"The ministry through the Veterinary Services Department will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action to ensure the adequacy of pork-based protein sources in Sabah is guaranteed."