Infected poultry meat plays an important role in the spread of Newcastle Disease (ND). In this study, an imported meat product was found to be positive for ND by both virus isolation and molecular characterization. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of the F protein cleavage site showed that the isolate was virulent as indicated by the sequence 112RRQKR116 for the Cterminus of the F2 protein and phenylanine (F) at the N-terminus of the F1 protein, residue 117. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis showed the isolate was 98% identical with China Hebei ND strain. Though the regulations for the importation of poultry meat for human consumption into Malaysia are strict, the possibility of the persistence of ND virus in imported meat is prevalent. Strict enforcement of importing regulations and screening the disease in imported poultry meat is important to ensure food safety and prevent introducing ND strain fInfected poultry meat plays an important role in the spread of Newcastle Disease (ND). In this study, an imported meat product was found to be positive for ND by both virus isolation and molecular characterization. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of the F protein cleavage site showed that the isolate was virulent as indicated by the sequence 112RRQKR116 for the Cterminus of the F2 protein and phenylanine (F) at the N-terminus of the F1 protein, residue 117. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis showed the isolate was 98% identical with China Hebei ND strain. Though the regulations for the importation of poultry meat for human consumption into Malaysia are strict, the possibility of the persistence of ND virus in imported meat is prevalent. Strict enforcement of importing regulations and screening the disease in imported poultry meat is important to ensure food safety and prevent introducing ND strain from other countries into Malaysiarom other countries into Malaysia.
African swine fever (ASF) is a transboundary haemorrhagic viral disease that affected domestic and wild pigs of all ages. The disease is caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV) and was introduced to China in 2018 before spreading rapidly to neighbouring Asian countries. As such, putting countries free from ASF like Malaysia at risk. ASF is highly lethal with no vaccine or treatment available. In February 2021, we confirmed backyard pigs from various locations in Sabah were infected with ASF using real time polymerase chain reaction (real- time PCR). Further characterization of the Sabah ASFVs indicated that they were of p72 genotype II with intergenic region (IGR) variant II that displayed an addition tandem repeat sequence (TRS) insertion, similar to ASFV from Indonesia, V ietnam and China. These results indicate and support the transboundary expansion of a homogenotypic ASFV (p72 genotype II and IGR variant II) in the Europe and Asia-Pacific, emphasizing the need for a holistic international collaboration in control and preventing further spreading of the current ASF pandemic. Importantly, our results informed the first detection and characterization of ASF, a disease previously not detected in Malaysia. This information is crucial for further mitigation and preventive measures.