African Swine Fever detected in dead wild boars found in Selangor
PETALING JAYA: Laboratory tests have confirmed African Swine Fever (ASF) infection in six wild boar carcasses discovered across two locations in Selangor between late April and mid-May.
The Selangor Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) received multiple reports about the dead animals found along Jalan Tebrau 1 and Dataran Ukay areas, according to New Straits Times.
Selangor Perhilitan director Wan Mohd Adib Wan Mohd Yusoh explained that departmental investigators conducted initial examinations at each discovery site before collecting samples for analysis.
'Tissue samples underwent internal testing at Perhilitan's Ex-Situ Conservation Division before being forwarded to the Central Zone Veterinary Laboratory operated by the Veterinary Services Department for comprehensive evaluation,' he stated.
Official confirmation of ASF infection came on May 20 through quantitative PCR testing methods, validating the presence of the viral disease in the specimens.
Wan Mohd Adib emphasised that ASF exclusively affects pigs, both wild and domesticated varieties, and presents no health threat to humans or other animal species. The contagious viral infection does not pose public health risks.
Perhilitan continues coordinating with veterinary services, local councils, and partner agencies to monitor the outbreak, safely remove infected carcasses, and sanitise affected zones following established biosecurity measures.
Enhanced surveillance efforts include examining additional carcasses found in surrounding areas and monitoring wildlife health in high-risk locations whilst preparing for potential similar incidents elsewhere.
The director urged residents to avoid contact with any discovered wild animal remains, particularly wild boar carcasses, and immediately notify authorities rather than handling the situation independently.
Citizens should report wildlife-related incidents through Perhilitan's dedicated hotline at 1-800-88-5151 whilst avoiding the circulation of unverified information that could generate public alarm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
10-06-2025
- The Star
Vietnam exports first African swine fever vaccine batch to Indonesia
Workers at AVAC Vietnam preparing a shipment of African swine fever vaccine for export to Indonesia. — Courtesy of AVAC HANOI: Biotechnology firm AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company has exported its first shipment of African swine fever (ASF) vaccines to Indonesia, a major milestone in the country's efforts to bring domestically developed veterinary vaccines to the international market. The shipment, consisting of 120,000 doses of the AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine, was sent to Indonesia on Monday following nearly three years of evaluation and testing in collaboration with Indonesian authorities. The vaccine was officially approved for use by Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture in April this year. The importer and distributor is PT. Biotis Prima Agrisindo, based in West Java. According to Nguyen Van Diep, General Director of AVAC Vietnam, the export underscores the vaccine's quality and efficacy, having passed Indonesia's stringent veterinary approval process. He said the milestone reflected not only the company's success but also the progress of Vietnam's veterinary vaccine sector in establishing a presence on the global stage. The live attenuated vaccine is the first of its kind in the world to have been successfully developed and commercialised, a result of intensive research by AVAC. The product has so far been used to administer over 3.5 million doses, with around three million doses deployed across Vietnam to help contain ASF outbreaks in various localities. Nearly 500,000 doses have already been exported to the Philippines and Nigeria, both of which have responded positively to the vaccine. AVAC currently maintains a reserve of approximately 1.5 million doses to meet urgent domestic and international demand. The company is also pursuing regulatory approval in several other countries, including India, Malaysia, Nepal and Myanmar. In Vietnam, the vaccine has been rolled out on a large scale in provinces such as Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Quang Ngai and Tra Vinh, with the support of local funding. Field results have shown the vaccine to be highly effective and safe, with no recurrence of ASF in vaccinated herds. Veterinary authorities are continuing to assess the vaccine's use in breeding pigs, including both sows and boars, to extend protection across the entire pig population. Initial trials have indicated good safety and efficacy, though full evaluation is still underway. Le Toan Thang, head of Veterinary Medicine Management Division at the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, said the successful export to Indonesia further demonstrated the effectiveness of Vietnamese-made vaccines. He said that Vietnam's ability to control ASF domestically helped build trust in the product and opened the door for more exports. All exported veterinary vaccines must undergo rigorous testing, independent trials and safety assessments in the importing country before they are approved for use. AVAC's product has successfully met these standards. AVAC is one of three domestic manufacturers currently licensed to produce ASF vaccines in Vietnam, alongside Navetco Central Veterinary Medicine JSC and Dabaco Group. — Vietnam News/ANN
The Star
10-06-2025
- The Star
Fahmi: Hawana aid has helped 405 media practitioners
PUTRAJAYA: A total of 405 media practitioners have benefited from a special fund launched in conjunction with National Journalists' Day (Hawana) in 2023. Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic), who disclosed this, said more media practitioners will receive aid with the Hawana 2025 celebration scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. He said media practitioners who previously received assistance will also get aid. 'If there is anyone we need to reach out to and provide additional assistance for, I will ask that this matter be looked into,' he told reporters after presenting the Tabung Kasih@Hawana contribution to New Straits Times photo editor Ikhwan Munir, 50, who is undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer at Putrajaya Hospital yesterday, Bernama reported. Also present were Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Media Prima Group managing editor Jasbant Singh. The fund, an initiative of the Communications Ministry, is managed by Bernama. Fahmi said the national news agency would continue to monitor the needs of Ikhwan, who has two children aged seven and 23. 'Ikhwan has been battling health issues over the past few weeks, so his wife is unable to work. Bernama will continue to monitor to see if we need to provide further help to him,' he added. The minister said he also took the opportunity during his visit to seek feedback from the hospital management on telecommunication coverage and Internet access at the health facility. 'They are satisfied, though they did say there is a minor issue with one of the telcos at the new wing. I have asked this telco to help optimise their services,' said Fahmi.
New Straits Times
06-06-2025
- New Straits Times
GPs: Outdated fees make practice a hard pill to swallow
KUALA LUMPUR: Outdated consultation fees and rising operational costs are squeezing general practitioners (GPs), forcing them to see more patients daily just to stay afloat. Consultation fees are regulated under Schedule 7 of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Regulations. The fees were last revised in 1992, before construction of the Petronas Twin Towers, and are fixed between RM10 and RM35. The government is currently studying a possible increase. Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan T.V. Ganesan said a typical clinic needed at least RM40,000 a month to operate. This covers rent, wages, utilities, maintenance, medical supplies and statutory contributions, excluding the GP owner's or doctors' salaries and loan repayments. Dr Shanmuganathan said based on a flat RM30 consultation fee per patient, and excluding revenue from medicine or additional services, a GP would need to see about 53 patients a day to break even — nearly three times the actual average. "Unfortunately, consultation fees are no longer sufficient to sustain clinic operations. "Rising costs in wages, medical consumables, digital systems and regulatory compliance, especially with new price display mandates, have compounded the financial burden," he told the New Straits Times. The Malaysian Medical Association has called for a minimum RM60 consultation fee. On Thursday, the association urged the government to expedite cabinet approval for the revised rates, warning that continued delays could threaten the survival of private clinics nationwide. On May 3, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad indicated that revisions would be finalised within a month. Dr Shanmuganathan said many patients required time-consuming consultations, counselling and emergency care, services that are often uncompensated. Clinics are also required to stock life-saving medications, many of which have short shelf lives and go unused. Former Johor assemblyman and practising GP Dr Boo Cheng Hau said a sustainable clinic needed to see at least 15 patients a day, five to six days a week, charging RM70 to RM100 per visit, including medication. He said the public must be educated on what constitutes a fair consultation fee. "For instance, for uncomplicated cough and cold cases, the market price in my area is about RM70 to RM80, inclusive of consultation and medication." he said. "Often, doctors have to lower their consultation fees to meet market demand, as medication costs exceed the consultation fee itself." PROFITS FROM MEDICINES Dr Shanmuganathan said many clinics were not operating on conventional "profits", as current consultation fees alone cannot sustain operations. To stay afloat, clinics often rely on modest profits from medicine sales. "This is not profiteering, but a pragmatic workaround in a system that restricts doctors from transparently charging for other professional services, such as nursing care, regulatory compliance, equipment use or consumables," he said. He estimated that a clinic spending RM12,000 per month on medicine stock might generate RM15,000 to RM17,000 in revenue, leaving a slim profit margin of RM3,000 to RM5,000. Additional revenue comes from procedural fees, health screenings and medical report preparation, but these are irregular and often underpriced due to market pressure. Dr Shanmuganathan said the recent implementation of medicine price display mandates had worsened matters. The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy previously warned that the rule could lead more consumers to request prescriptions and buy medicines at lower prices from pharmacies. Its chief executive, Azrul Mohd Khalib, said while patients had every right to do so, this trend could undermine clinics' sustainability, as consultation fees remained low. "GPs hesitate to itemise every charge — nursing, registration, equipment use — for fear of alienating patients or appearing to overcharge," he said. AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION Both Dr Shanmuganathan and Dr Boo said Malaysia should adopt a national health scheme to address the crisis. In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service is funded primarily through general taxation, supported by National Insurance contributions. These fund services such as GP visits, hospital care and prescriptions. In November 2023, then health minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said Malaysia was exploring a national health insurance scheme involving contributions from employees, employers and the government. However, it has yet to materialise. Dr Boo said insurance policies must also cover outpatient management and GP visits, not just hospitalisation. He urged the government to raise its health spending from four per cent of the gross domestic product to between five and 10 per cent, in line with advanced nations. Dr Shanmuganathan added that such a scheme was necessary to strengthen healthcare financing and service delivery. He also proposed revising the GP consultation fee range to between RM50 and RM100, depending on case complexity. "It is important to recognise that these fees represent payment for the doctor's professional services and should not be subject to arbitrary discrimination," he said. "Doctors with the same qualifications should be paid fairly and equitably for the same scope of work."
