The City Veterinary Office (CVO) declared Thursday that all 66 barangays in Puerto Princesa remain to be free from African Swine Virus (ASF).
Dr. Indira Santiago, CVO chief, told Palawan Daily News (PDN) Thursday this update could be true until this third week of December.
“Wala pa namang reported cases talaga. Sana ang panalangin ko lang huwag tayong umabot [doon sa magkaroon na ng case]. Ang sa akin nga nasa preventive scene tayo ngayon, nasa proactive approach tayo na huwag nating hayaang mapasukan,” said Santiago.
During the same interview, Santiago stated it was only in October this year when around 90 hogs all over the city were randomly subjected to blood testing.
She said the samples were first forwarded to the local diagnostic laboratory and were later on submitted to Manila for confirmation.
“Nagsa-submit naman tayo ng mga blood samples. Kahit na wala kasi tayong cases nire-require kasi talaga tayo ng at least 90 blood samples collected from random areas. Usually kapag negative ka ay hindi ka na pinadadalahan ng sulat, pero kapag positive ka tatawagan ka instantly,” said Santiago.
Aside from this blood testing, Santiago said there has been “no reported case” of ASF or symptoms related to this hog-killing virus.
Santiago said each related agency in the city, along with the provincial government of Palawan, are working hand in hand to prevent the spread of ASF.
She also added CVO is making sure that the protocols in the city slaughterhouse such as the “proper cleaning and disinfection measures” are being strictly observed.
She said this is also to prevent the spread of other diseases aside from ASF.
Meanwhile, Santiago said the city still bans the entry of pork-related products from Luzon this holiday season.
“Tangkilikin natin ‘yong sariling atin, meron naman tayong mga produktong pork galing dito sa Puerto Princesa,” said Santiago.]