KUCHING (Dec 12): All the pigs at two backyard farms in Serian here had to be culled following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) infection in some of the animals, said Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.
When contacted, he pointed out that only two backyard farms in Kampung Mapu and Bunan were found positive for ASF.
“However, we have to cull the remaining animals to prevent the spread to nearby farms,” he said, adding that DVSS would compensate the affected farmers.
Earlier, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom revealed the ASF outbreak in Mongkos in Tebedu which was detected on Nov 29.
He then reminded pig breeders to intensify biosecurity measures at their respective farms by ensuring that they have facilities like vehicle dip/foot dip and stable perimeter fencing.
Other than that, they must control the in-and-out movement of livestock, vehicles, and people at their farms, he said, adding that transfer of live pigs is also prohibited without a transfer permit issued by DVSS.
Apart from intensifying biosecurity measures, he said farmers are not to feed their pigs with uncooked food from leftovers and scrape and not to bring in new livestock with unknown health status.
Clinical symptoms of ASF are death of pigs, pigs having high fever, difficulty in breathing, rashes, swelling of the skin, losing appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhoea, swollen joints, skin ulcer and running nose, said Dr Rundi.
