The Palawan Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is putting additional efforts to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) a day after an outbreak was declared in Carcar City in central Cebu.
Among the measures are the strict enforcement of biosecurity measures in the communities and border checkpoints and monitoring of live pigs and pork products in all towns.
Other strategies of the provincial veterinary office include the training of barangay (village) biosecurity officers for quick surveillance and monitoring and the distribution of information materials.
Also included is the coordination with biosecurity officers from all barangays for quick surveillance and monitoring and the distribution of information materials.
Local government units (LGUs) will also conduct border control by establishing checkpoints in strategic locations.
Dr. Darius Mangcucang, OIC of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said that the enforcements are necessary steps to ensure that the virus wouldn’t enter the province and to protect the livestock industry.
“Ang virus ay nagdudulot ng sakit at mabilis kumalat sa mga baboy at nagiging sanhi ng malawakang pagkamatay ng mga hayop na ito. Dahil dito, ang natatanging daan para matanggal ang virus ay ang pagpatay ng buong kahayupan sa isang lugar o ‘yung tinatawag na depopulation,” Mangcucang said.
PVO also encourages all swine raisers and stakeholders to report unusual mortalities and sickness to their respective agriculture/veterinary offices.