KUALA LUMPUR: African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in wild boars in Bidor and Sungkai in Perak, and Jerantut in Pahang, says the Veterinary Services Dept.

       In a statement on Friday (Dec 17), the department added that the spread of the viral disease is under control and commercially-reared pigs have not been infected.

       It said the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh confirmed the presence of the virus in boars on Dec 6 in Perak and Dec 7 in Pahang.

       The department said preventive measures have been imposed to curb the spread, including restricting pig movement and improving biosecurity at commercial farms across the peninsula.

       It is also conducting clinical surveillance on farms and abattoirs, as well as working closely with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Department of Orang Asli Development and oil palm plantation agencies.

       The public and farmers are advised not to panic because ASF cannot be transmitted to humans.

       "Pig farmers have been told to increase the biosecurity on their farms to prevent the spread of ASF to commercial pigs,” the statement said.

       The department has asked for the cooperation of farmers and the public to report unusual deaths involving wild boars, village and commercial pigs to their district and state branches, or call their crisis hotline in Putrajaya at 03-8870 2041. – Bernama