TABUK CITY, Kalinga – In light of the memorandum issued by Governor James Edduba on September 25 providing for the temporary prohibition on the entry and purchase of live hogs, pork, and pork-based products, the City Veterinary Services Office (CVSO) has called for an emergency meeting with the city’s barangay officials today.
City Veterinarian Dr. Carmen Wanas, who spoke during the meeting stated that some municipalities in Isabela have reported proven positive instances of African swine fever (ASF).
She stated that there are 10 barangays in the city with reports of suspected ASF infection, including Dagupan Weste, New Tanglag, Bulanao Centro, Bulo, Ipil, Gobgob, Naneng, Bagumbayan, Cabaruan, and San Juan. However, these claims need to be confirmed in a laboratory.
As a precautionary measure, in case any live hogs, pork, or pork-based products were to be imported from Isabela or other impacted provinces, she advised all meat sellers and hog breeders to coordinate with the CVSO.
Additionally, as a biosecurity precaution against ASF, hog raisers are recommended to bring any suspected ASF-affected hogs to the CVSO for testing rather than butchering them.
In response to this concern, the CVSO is conducting awareness campaigns, disinfecting diseased hogs, testing them quickly for antigens, and keeping an eye on things at the quarantine gates. By strengthening the relationship between the barangay council and the municipal government, the office also introduced the “Bantay ASF sa Barangay Program” with the purpose of containing potential ASF infections in the neighborhood.
Acting Mayor Atty. Dick Bal-o underlined the need of adhering to all regulatory requirements, such as properly disposing of deceased animals, notifying the CVSO of any potential ASF cases in the barangay, and only purchasing pork and other products containing pork meat from reputable suppliers in order to prevent the spread of the infection.
