Cebu City keeps eye on African Swine Fever

CEBU, Philippines —  Amid the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF), Cebu City’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) is keeping a close watch to prevent entry of pork products, specifically those from Mindanao, in the city.

Dr. Jessica Maribojoc, head of DVMF, earlier said they continue monitoring to prevent the entry of the banned pork and poultry products in the city’s seaports and conduct inspections in stores as well, especially for ASF, the ban of which includes foreign imports.

As reported by the city’s Public Information Office, Maribojoc said that the city will continue such move, especially now that there is a new positive case of ASF in Zamboanga City.

“Naay bag-ong positive sa Zamboanga City sa African Swine Fever. So dili gihapon na siya ma-lift kay bawal man ang pork products, live hogs ug ang byproducts niya nga moabot dinhi sa Cebu,” said Maribojoc.

“So (meat) coming from Luzon, Region 8 and Mindanao (is still not allowed to enter Cebu City). Mao nay ginatan-aw sa atong post-abattoir inspectors,” she added.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has placed Zamboanga City under “red zone” as cases of ASF were detected in five barangays.

According to city veterinarian, Dr. Mario Arriola, affected barangays are Pasonanca, Bunguiao, Mangusu, Curuan and Manicahan. He said three areas were contained through depopulation and assistance was given to affected swine raisers.

A week ago, Mayor Michael Rama declared that Cebu City is adapting the province’s extension of the ban on pork and poultry products from areas affected by the ASF and the Avian Influenza (bird flu).

Rama did not anymore issue his own directive or executive order as the city will simply adapt the directives issued by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The mayor said it is important that Cebu as one island have the same policies regarding these types of bans because any port of entry, whether in the province or in the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, will affect the entire island.

Meanwhile, the enforcement teams of DVMF are also going after those who have their animals at unregistered slaughterhouses.

Maribojoc also said the DVMF conducted vaccination and provided vitamins to pigs, cows, goats, among others.

“Part man na sa amoa sa livestock…more on disease management man mi, ang CAD (City Agriculture Department) is more on production. Ang amoa, kung naa bay nagsakit, kun mahimo hatagan og de-wormer,” said Maribojoc. — GMR (FREEMAN)