SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) abattoir, which supplies pork for the whole town, has been closed for 60 days after African Swine Fever (ASF) was detected among animals slaughtered there.

       SMC chairman Clarence Ting in a Facebook post Friday (March 11) said the closure was to clean and sanitise the area.

       “SMC is working with the Sarawak Veterinary Department and complying with their requirements,” he said.

       He said the council would do everything needed so the abattoir can reopen as soon as possible to reduce the impact on locals.

       “SMC has to ensure all pigs slaughtered at the abattoir are safe to consume,” he added.

       The council will also clean and sanitise all butcher stalls at the wet market – including chopping blocks used – to remove any contamination.

       According to the US Department of Agriculture, ASF is not a threat to human health and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans.

       However, among pigs, the virus is highly contagious and deadly, affecting both domestic and feral swine.