91 wild boars die in Kemaman

KEMAMAN – A total of 91 wild boars have been found dead in the Air Putih forest here since June 20.

Terengganu Veterinary Services Department (JPV) Director Dr Anun Man said the death of the wild boars were caused by the infectious African Swine Fever (ASF).

"Veterinarians had taken samples of the animal carcasses between June 21 and 22 and the result that came out on June 27 showed that all of the animals were infected by ASF.

"As of now 91, wild boars have been found dead until June 30," she said when contacted today.

Dr Anun said the area had been disinfected and the carcasses have been buried according to procedures to ensure the virus does not spread.

JPV Terengganu, along with Wildlife and National Parks Protection Department (Perhilitan) were monitoring and collecting samples from a 10 kilometre radius of the disease location to ensure that it does not spread.

"We are working towards widening the area to ensure the samples are included in other districts in Terengganu to ensure the disease can be contained," she said.

In the same development, she said the spread of the disease could be due to river water or wild animals.

"There are many factors that could cause the disease to spread, and we believe the river water and wild animals caused the cases in the Air Putih forest area in Kemaman.

"In Terengganu, there are no commercial pig farms. It is believed that the infection could have spread from the same case that happened in Taman Negara in Jerantut in May," she said.

Dr Anun said normally the disease would not infect humans and other animals however it must be controlled to avoid infections to other wild boars that become a source of food for wild animals in the forest.

"The disease is specifically infections for wild boars and pigs where it can cause the death of the animals in a short period," he said.