After 1st case in Ormoc: Cebu on high alert vs ASF

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu provincial government once again reminded the public, especially the stakeholders of the hog industry, on the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF).

"We ask everyone for its cooperation and continued vigilance against ASF and to report any unusual pig mortalities in their area," Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy, Cebu provincial veterinarian, told The FREEMAN.

Vincoy made the reminder after the city veterinary in Ormoc City has confirmed the first case of ASF in the city.

Ormoc is just at least two hours away from Camotes Island in northern Cebu by boat ride.

Ormoc City, which belongs to Region 8, is among the areas in the country whose live hogs and pork products are barred from entering the Province of Cebu due to ASF.

Vincoy said the province, through its task force against ASF, continues monitoring the areas especially the port of entries in the island.

"We continue to strengthen our disease surveillance and monitoring as well as our border control against ASF.”

“All livestock transport carriers including meat vans issued by the Provincial Livestock Transport Pass and entering Cebu were required to undergo the seven-day downtime period and disinfection," Vincoy said.

Animal checkpoints were also installed at the towns and cities in the province by the LGU Task Force against ASF.

The Cebu province remains ASF-free, which means its P11-billion hog industry is still safe from the deadly swine infection. — KQD (FREEMAN)