Kota Kinabalu: The outbreak of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) affecting fish in several tagal rivers in Tambunan, Keningau and Tenom is now reported to be under control.
State Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said no new fish deaths have been recorded following monitoring and control measures implemented by the Sabah Fisheries Department over the past two months.
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He said samples had been collected from the affected rivers after reports from tagal operators, and laboratory analyses confirmed the infections were caused by the KHV virus.
“Our officers have been in the field since December to conduct close monitoring and implement control measures. So far, the situation is under control and no new cases have been reported,” he said at the Sabah Islamic Organisations Ramadan Programme Coordination Meeting (Usia) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
In early January, hundreds of dead Kelah fish were reported floating in several tagal rivers in Long Pasia, Tambunan and Keningau, causing panic among local residents.
Jamawi said precautionary measures continue to be enforced, including orders preventing the transfer of fish from affected areas to other locations to avoid the risk of virus spread.
He also assured that fish from the affected areas are safe for consumption and the public need not panic.
He said further investigations are ongoing to determine the original source of the infection, including the possibility of river flow from abroad, but no confirmation has been made to date.
“There is a possibility it is linked to cases reported in Kalimantan, Indonesia last year, as the Padas River flows from Kalimantan into the Pegalan River and then into Sabah’s interior.
“However, we have not confirmed any cross-border source and this matter is still under study,” he said.
Jamawi emphasised that the authorities do not want the incident to have a serious impact on fish populations as previously occurred with wild boars, which required nearly a year to stabilise.
He said the hunting ban remains in force while the situation stabilises, as population recovery takes almost a year, adding that recent feedback indicates new breeding in forest areas and populations are showing signs of recovery.
