KUCHING: Veterinary authorities have detected African Swine Fever (ASF) in three backyard farms in Durin, Sibu, where mass deaths of pigs were recently reported.

       State Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi said the cases were confirmed on Monday (Jan 10) by the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory using RT-PCR tests.

       He said Sarawak Veterinary Services Department personnel were now on the ground to determine the extent of the outbreak and had taken action to contain the disease from spreading further to other pig farms.

       "Surveillance, both clinical and serological, is being conducted and specimens taken for laboratory diagnosis," he said in a statement.

       Rundi said the ministry and the department had held several engagements with pig farmers to step up their biosecurity, including preventing outsiders from coming to visit their farms.

       He said the farmers were also advised not to feed their pigs with leftovers from restaurants or kitchens, as the ASF virus in contaminated pork products could survive the cooking process and cause infection.

       As there was no treatment or vaccine available to treat or control ASF, Rundi said any farm infected with the virus would be sealed and quarantined.

       "All the pigs in the farm will be culled, the farm depopulated and the carcasses disposed of by burial on site," he added and called for cooperation from all stakeholders, including farmers, by being more vigilant and preventing ASF from infecting their herds.

       Rundi said the highly contagious disease, which affects only pigs, could lead to serious economic losses for farmers and impact the state's food security.

       "Every attempt must be made to contain the disease and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the state," he said.

       However, he added that the disease was not zoonotic (spreading from animals to humans) and was not harmful to humans.