The Sarawak government today denied that there was an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah clarified that there was only one out of 17 samples of canned luncheon pork imported from China tested positive for ASF DNA during a laboratory test on Oct 25 using the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (q-PCR).

“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 yesterday.

Earlier today, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad was reported as saying that the ASF virus in Sarawak had not reached an alarming stage and there was no need for the people to panic.

Uggah reiterated that the state had enforced all pork and pork products import ban from ASF-infected countries including canned pork products from China while most of the affected product brand had been removed from the shelves.

He said the state Veterinary Services Department had confiscated 220 kilogrammes of animal products brought in by 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 added.

- Bernama