Vets, Wildlife Dept Hunting Down Wild Boars

KOTA BAHARU, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- The operation to hunt down wild boars in Tanah Merah to get their blood samples for testing to determine whether they carry Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus has not been successful yet.
Kelantan Veterinary Services Director Dr Idris Kadir said the operation is being focused on high-risk areas like Kampung Batang Bergedik and Kampung Air Karilla where a Form Three student died last week believed to be due to suspected JE.
The operation launched yesterday with the cooperation of the Wildlife and National Parks Department continues today, he told Bernama Wednesday.
So far, blood samples from six horses, 24 heads of cattle and 10 goats have been taken for testing and another 40 samples would be retrieved from the animals on Saturday.
The tests are to determine whether the animals were the source of the JE infection.
Unlike Nipah virus which spreads through direct contact with infected animals, JE is transmitted through mosquitoes.