KOTA KINABALU : – There has not been any disruption in Sabah’s pork supply despite the return of the deadly African swine fever (ASF) virus, industry players say.
ASF was recently detected in a herd of pigs at a farm in interior Keningau district on Jan 7, where 12 of 20 animals tested positive.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said that the district Veterinary Services Department (DVS) took immediate steps to cull the infected pigs and stop animals from being transported out of the farm.
Pork sellers in Keningau said their stocks were mainly from Tenom or Tawau, and the recent incident in a pig farm in the district has not affected them.
They said that so far, they were told that the infection had been contained.
An advisor in the Sabah Livestock Association who declined to be named said he believed the infection was not serious and only one or two farms had been affected.
“So far, I am still having my pork every day,” he said when contacted Tuesday (Jan 14).
Another association committee member hoped the infections would not spread and believed the state agencies overseeing livestock would act swiftly to contain ASF.
“I don’t want to say much because this is a sensitive issue with the Chinese New Year nearing and many will be consuming pork,” he said.
Earlier, Kitingan had given an assurance that there is adequate supply of pork from pig farms in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau.
He also urged the public, especially pig farmers and operators, to report cases of sick or dead pigs to the nearest DVS office for immediate action so that the disease can be contained. – Star
