KUALA LUMPUR. Nov 5 – Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak Amar Douglas Uggah has refuted claims about an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the state.
“So far there is no African Swine Fever infection in pigs reported in the state. The detection of the DNA virus in the canned luncheon pork does not change Sarawak’s ASF-free status,” he said in a statement according to Bernama.
Out of 17 samples of canned luncheon pork imported from China, only one tested positive for ASF DNA during a laboratory test on Oct 25 using the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (q-PCR).
Uggah further added that the state had banned all pork and pork products imported from ASF-infected countries, including canned pork products from China, while most of the affected products had been removed from the shelves.
The state Veterinary Services Department also had confiscated 220 kilogrammes of animal products from travellers.
“The department will continue to enforce the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 to ensure that imported pork and pork products are from countries free from ASF. All imports must require permits and smugglers will be severely dealt with under the law,” he stated.
