Sarawak joins UK-funded project to combat African swine fever

KUCHING: Sarawak has joined a £3.4-million (RM18.4 million) UK-funded international research project to combat African swine fever (ASF) and protect the state’s pig farming industry.

The Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) will collaborate with the University of Sheffield and other international partners to better understand, predict and prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus.

The project, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is among 18 research initiatives announced on Oct 7 to address biosecurity threats.

Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the collaboration marked a significant milestone for Sarawak’s scientific research capabilities.

“This remarkable achievement demonstrates that SIDC has the capability to extend its research beyond Malaysia, establish meaningful collaborations with leading international universities and contribute to addressing global challenges in infectious diseases,” he said in a statement today.

Dr Annuar, who is also SIDC’s board chairman, said the research grant reflected the centre’s growing international research capabilities.

Led by Professor Peter J Dodd of the University of Sheffield, the project also involves the University of Liverpool, Thailand’s National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and the Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

The research will focus on understanding the virus’s genetic diversity, evolution and transmission patterns to improve disease prevention and control.

SIDC is expected to serve as a regional genomic reference centre for ASF through whole-genome sequencing, while supporting vaccine strategies and regional disease management practices.

Although ASF poses no risk to human health, it can devastate pig populations, causing substantial economic losses and hardship for farming communities.

SIDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Associate Professor Ivan K. S. Yap said the research would provide crucial scientific evidence to safeguard Sarawak’s pig industry.

“African swine fever is a disease that does not respect borders, and the answers lie in good data shared responsibly between partners.

“By combining genomic sequencing with the experience of our farmers and the expertise in SIDC and DVS Sarawak, we hope to give Sarawak the evidence it needs to protect its pig industry and the communities that depend on it,” he said.

The collaboration builds on a memorandum of understanding signed between SIDC and the University of Sheffield in November 2024, covering joint research, academic exchanges and capacity building.