Kitingan, who is also deputy chief minister, said the ASF is not known to infect humans but nonetheless issued this advice as a precaution to the public.

“Don’t worry, the ASF only affects animals, not humans,” he told reporters after an event here today.

“At the moment, the situation is under control. Nonetheless, I am asking the people to refrain from eating wild boar meat for now.”

He said the disease had spread to Pitas, Kota Marudu, Telupid and Tawau. Previously, the ASF was detected in Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Beluran and Telupid.

However, only Pitas, Beluran, Kota Marudu, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan and Sandakan have so far been declared as areas for the outbreak.

Kitingan said 404 domestic pigs had been found dead, adding the Veterinary Services Department had so far culled 387 domestic pigs.

This means 791 domestic pigs have died or been culled since the disease was detected in January.

At the same time, 139 wild boars have been found dead, all infected with the ASF. There has been no culling of wild pigs as yet.

“The state Veterinary Services Department is continuing to cull affected pigs mainly kept in backyards to ensure the virus does not spread further.”