Malaysia: Imported canned luncheon meat from China has DNA of African Swine Fever in Sarawak

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

The Malaysia Ministry of Health (MOH) reports being briefed on the issue of imported Canned Luncheon Meat products from China that have been detected with the DNA of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in Sarawak.

MOH through the Food Safety and Quality Division is working with the State Department of Veterinary Services (JPV) to address this issue. MOH will carry out sampling for the purpose of verifying the effectiveness of the retort process (that is, one of the processes in food processing) for pork products to ensure no contamination of ASF virus.

According to the Department of Veterinary Services, consumers are advised to refrain from buying this product including online purchases, and not to provide the product or residue of this product as food to pigs. This is to reduce the risk of ASF contaminating pigs that eat animal food that has been contaminated with ASF virus.

For information purposes, Section 13A of the Food Act 1983 provides that any person involved in the importation, distribution, storage or sale of food contained in or on any diseased, dirty, reputable or valuable animal or vegetable material is in the wrong and is liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 8 years or to both.

African Swine Fever epidemic is an animal disease and does not infect humans.

Indonesia: African swine fever reported in North Sumatra, according to media report

Timor-Leste is the latest country to report African swine fever

African Swine Fever confirmed in Rizal, Philippines pigs; DOH says not a risk to human health

African swine fever in Asia: One year since first outbreak